With Kent crime statistics on the rise, many homeowners without sufficient security may find themselves face to face with a burglar in their home. That being said, do you know how to defend yourself against a burglar – the legal way?

You are permitted to use ‘reasonable force’ to protect yourself or others in the case of a home burglary. But what does this actually mean?

Thanks to GOV.UK, we can give you some more detailed information.

What can you do to defend yourself against a burglar?

1. You are allowed to prevent the burglar/s from escaping your household.

E.g. tackling them to the ground and performing a citizen’s arrest.

This means that you can use a reasonable amount of force to keep them on the ground until the police arrive, without further assaulting the criminal.

2. Protect yourself or another family member ‘in the heat of the moment’ by using an object as a weapon.

The BBC state: “Victims do not have to wait to be attacked if they are in their home and fear for themselves or others. These guidelines also apply if someone, in the spur of the moment, picks up an item to use as a weapon.”

However, you will be prosecuted if:

  • You continue to attack the intruder once you are out of danger (if you have the intruder on the floor, you cannot continue to attack or injure them)
  • You do not contact the police on 999 and instead ‘take matters into your own hands’ by assaulting the criminal.

This information was last updated in November 2014.

Be alerted instantly with a burglar alarm

Obviously, the most sensible choice for any homeowner is to have a reliable home security system installed within their home. That way, you won’t have to put yourself in the situation of physically stopping a burglar in your home.

Once triggered, a burglar alarm will alert the whole street, often causing the intruder to flee from the scene. Also, the bell box will visually deter burglars from targeting your home in the first place.

Don’t be a victim

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