No change in burglary laws

Tony Blair today shied away from new laws to guarantee the right of homeowners to fight back against burglars.

The Government announced it would not support Tory proposals to change the law to give people stronger rights to use physical force to protect their homes and families.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke is believed to be behind the decision, which comes only a month after Mr Blair told the Commons he was minded to change or clarify the law. Tory leader Michael Howard has promised a Bill to amend it in favour of crime victims.

Under existing law, the public must limit themselves to "reasonable force". The Tory Bill, which had its first reading in the Commons today, would change this to allow all but "grossly disproportionate force". Mr Clarke said the month- long government review had concluded the current law was "sound". He said new guidance would be issued to police and the public explaining that householders can use force, though strictly only in self-defence and not against a fleeing criminal.

He said the Crown Prosecution Service, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Association of Chief Police Officers back the new guidance, which will say people should not be arrested or prosecuted unless they are deemed to have caused unnecessary harm. It will be made clear to the public that the law ensures " appropriate steps to protect themselves, their family and property will always be justified".