Two thirds of Brits are not afraid to use a weapon against an intruder, according to a recent survey.
And almost half of us keep a domestic item as a weapon at the ready in case we should need it – with the most popular item being a baseball bat.
The survey stats are even more worrying since they reveal almost four in ten burglary victims are in the house at the time of break-in.
The survey comes following several high profile self-defence cases in Manchester over the last couple of years.
Three of these cases arose in the Greater Manchester area in 2011 and prompted the Government to review self-defence laws.
The law states that members of the public can use ‘reasonable force’ to protect themselves, others or property.
Under this guideline three men living in the Greater Manchester area were all deemed not to have committed an offence following the deaths of burglars at their properties.
Cecil Coley, 72 at the time of the incident, was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Gary Mullings, 30, who had broken into his shop in Old Trafford.
Mr Mullings had been armed with a gun when he entered Mr Coley’s premises and died from a fatal stab wound – Mr Coley was also treated in hospital. The charges were later dropped.
Peter Flanagan, 59 in 2011, was also cleared of all charges after using a machete to stab, John Bennell, 27, following an aggravated burglary at his home in Ethel Avenue, Swinton.
Both men were deemed to have acted in self-defence.
Judge Leslie Hull said of Mr Flanagan: “He saw at close quarters his home being ransacked. In his terror he picked up a kitchen knife to defend himself.”
The issue of self-defence is more relevant than ever as research shows that 30% of UK householders have been the victim of burglaries.
The survey’s findings showed that 54% of men and 45% of women would arm themselves against an intruder.
However the question of reasonable force is often a difficult one to measure, and led Prime Minister David Cameron to call for the issue to be ‘put beyond doubt’ in June 2011.
In response subsection 5a was added to section 76 of the 2008 Criminal Justice and Immigration Act in order to allow for householders to act with ‘disproportionate force’ in the face of an intruder.
Vitally, the provision does not give householders free rein to use disproportionate force every time they are confronted by an intruder- any force considered to be greatly disproportionate can still lead to charges against the householder.
Actions such as shooting a fleeing burglar may fall under this category.
However, the question remains what constitutes proportionate force? And how can the courts correctly judge someone’s reaction to an intruder entering their home?
Ben Hunt, 32, a builder from Altrincham said: “If a burglar came into my home, I would use all the force I had to protect my wife and baby.
“I think it’s a joke we have a law that limits us to what we can do in our own homes, I pay my mortgage so I’m entitled to protect my home in whatever way I want.”
However Sarah Morris, 21, a student from Manchester disagreed. She said: “I think there should be limits in place, I don’t believe you should have the right to attack or murder someone if they break into your house.”
A staggering 27% of burglaries occur as a result of a thief entering through an open window or door.
Gareth Lane, Head of Home Insurance at Confused.com (who conducted the survey), said: “Our research shows the extremes that some householders would go to in order to protect their property from intruders.
“However it is far better to ensure that you have the maximum amount of home security that you can. Carrying out simple security measures, such as keeping doors and windows locked, can help ensure householders and their possessions are kept safe.
“It is also important to make sure you have adequate home insurance in place, so that your valuables are protected should the worst happen.”
Picture courtesy of Geoffrey Fairchild via Flickr, with thanks.
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