Tories to back 'have-a-go heroes'

Published on Tuesday 19 January 2010 20:31

MEMBERS of the public who step in to stop crimes would be given greater legal protection under Conservative proposals published yesterday.

So-called "have-a-go heroes" would not be arrested or prosecuted as long as they acted "reasonably" while trying to intervene, shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said.

The measure is part of the "Mending Our Broken Society" section of the Tories' draft manifesto.

Other proposals would give "greater protection" to householders who defend their homes against intruders.

Currently, they are allowed to use reasonable force to protect themselves, but the Tories have suggested allowing all actions that were not considered grossly disproportionate.

But Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "The Tories love to tell you they are the party of law and order, when in fact they are the party of crime. Their disgraceful record in government speaks for itself – crime nearly doubled, violent crime nearly tripled, and robbery quadrupled."

&#149 A businessman jailed for attacking a masked intruder after his family were threatened by knife-wielding thugs will discover today whether his sentence is to be reduced. The Court of Appeal in London will rule on the 30-month sentence handed out to Munir Hurrein, 53, from Buckinghamshire, in December.