Tories step up fight on crime

The Tories beefed up their crime pledges today, with tough plans to let burglary victims fight back.

Householders would get clearer rights to use force against intruders in their own homes. At the moment, they can use "reasonable force", but this would be changed so they could only face charges for using "grossly disproportionate force".

"Currently, the fear of imprisonment or physical harm lies with the householder," said homeland security spokesman Patrick Mercer. "Those fears should lie with the burglar."

The Tories also unveiled plans to tackle drug use. Dealers caught selling Class A drugs for the third time would spend a minimum of seven years in prison, and any adult selling drugs to a child would automatically be jailed.

It came as police today announced a three-month assault on crack and heroin dealers with raids and undercover operations.