HOUSEHOLDER David Lemaitre managed to scare off the burglar breaking into his house by swearing at him, but says he would not have hesitated to use force had that been necessary.

But what would have happened to Mr Lemaitre had he used such force apart from the obvious risk of being injured?

Would he have been congratulated by the authorities for bringing a criminal and a violator of homes to boot to justice, or would he have found himself in a court dock?

We have the case of Norfolk farmer Tony Martin to remind us that the issue of what counts as reasonable force and provocation is a thorny one, and now lawyers for the Home Office are defending the Parole Board's decision not to release Martin, claiming burglars have the right to be protected against the householders they prey upon.

Those running our justice system should beware when they warn people against taking the law into their own hands.

That only tends to happen when those who are supposed to be in charge of the law do not have a firm grip on it in the first place.