SNP rules out law change to protect homeowners

Published on 10/10/2012 03:20

HOMEOWNERS who lash out at intruders will not be offered greater protection, after the Scottish Government ruled out a change in the law.

It means people north of the Border could be in a weaker
position than those in England and Wales, after the UK government revealed plans to beef up the rights of people defending their home and family.

UK Justice Secretary Chris Grayling told the Conservative conference that householders should not be prosecuted unless their response was “grossly disproportionate”.

He said: “None of us really knows how frightening it would be if we were confronted by a burglar in the middle of the night, or how terrified we’d feel if we thought our family was in danger. You might well hit out in the heat of the moment, without thinking of anything but protecting your loved ones. And right now you’re still not sure the law is on your side.

“I think householders acting instinctively and honestly in self-defence are victims, not criminals. They should be treated that way.”

However, the Scottish Government insisted laws north of the Border are adequate.

A spokesman said: “It is right that people feel safe in their own homes and that is why the law in Scotland already allows the use of reasonable force by householders against housebreakers.

“It is for the courts to determine what reasonable force may be in the individual circumstances of each case. We have no plans to review the law.”