Shailesh Vara, Member of Parliament for North West Cambridgeshire, has welcomed the announcement by Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Justice to change the law to give stronger legal safeguards to those who use force against intruders to protect themselves, their families and their property.

Mr Vara introduced a Private Members’ Bill in 2007, which sought to make similar changes, by amending the law from the present “reasonable” force level to a higher test, of being allowed to use force as long as it is not “grossly disproportionate. Unfortunately, the previous Government did not allow the Bill to go through.

Mr Vara said: -

“I am delighted that Chris Grayling will be taking action to improve the law to protect householders against intruders in their own homes. It is important to have clarity in this area and the law currently in place is in urgent need of reform, particularly given recent examples of individuals having to defend their homes with force.

I believe that many people will agree with the proposed changes and am pleased that the measures proposed in my Private Members’ Bill in 2007 will now be enacted.”