David Davis, shadow home secretary, said: "We are disappointed that the home secretary has chosen to fly in the face of so much compelling evidence that the law needs to be changed. Police officers, the public and even professional burglars have said they think a change in the law would shift the balance towards the victims and away from the criminal.
"Just this morning 99 per cent of people said they should have the right to defend their own homes and only a few weeks ago Tony Blair acknowledged that a change is necessary.
"Labour have shown yet again that their promises to be tough on crime are all talk. We urge the government to reconsider, and to give time and support to Patrick Mercer's Bill which will give homeowners greater rights to protect themselves without fear of prosecution."
Party Response: Liberal Democrats
Mark Oaten, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said: "The law should rightly back members of the public who use proportionate force to protect themselves and loved ones, and the public need to be made better aware of what the existing law is.
"But creating a climate where you can attack a burglar for coming in to your house could turn a dangerous situation into a potentially tragic and fatal one.
"We currently have a reasonable force test which allows judges and juries to use their common sense, case by case, to decide if people did the right thing. Conservative proposals to replace this are unnecessary and unhelpful.
"But the public shouldn't be in the situation that they have to take the law into their own hands in the first place. Liberal Democrat plans to recruit 10,000 more police would help deter burglars and reassure the public that when they dial 999 they will get a swift response."
Stakeholder Response: Association of Chief Police Officers
Chris Fox, ACPO president, said: "The criminal justice system should reach fair and just decisions, have the confidence of the law abiding majority and encourage the public to support the police in the fight against crime. ACPO recognises that real public concern exists over this issue and believes that a clarification of the law rather than a change will help to reassure the public and improve their confidence in the criminal justice system.
"ACPO welcomes the opportunity to work with the Home Office and the Crown Prosecution Service to reassure the public that any citizen who confronts a criminal in defence of their property, themselves or another, and who uses reasonable and appropriate force, does so in the knowledge that they will be fully supported by the police and the criminal justice system.
"It is important that everyone inside and outside of the criminal justice system understands this."
