Despite Conservative pressure, the government has said it will not change the law on the rights of householders to protect themselves from intruders.

Home secretary Charles Clarke announced on Wednesday that the current law would not be changed.

He said that a review had concluded the present law was "sound".

The views of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the Crown Prosecution Service and the Director of Pubic Prosecutions had been taken into account, said Clarke.

The decision is likely to embarrass Tony Blair, who had previously indicated that he was open to reforms that would have shifted the balance towards the householder.

Clarke said there would be a campaign to educate the public about what actions are legal under current law.

"I have concluded that the current law is sound but needs to be better explained to all concerned, especially for householders," he said in a written statement.

He added that recent guidance had proven that "the law is on the side of the victim and that householders are entitled to use reasonable force to defend themselves, their families and their property".

The prime minister had promised to consult with ACPO on any necessary changes in response to public and press demands.

"What we promised is that we would talk to ACPO and all the relevant people about this issue," the Number 10 spokesman said.

"We accepted there was a degree of confusion and what this does is clear that up. My understanding is that all the relevant bodies support our move."

Attorney general Lord Goldsmith welcomed the announcement, saying householders would "be able to protect themselves, their families and their property against burglars by the use of reasonable force".

Tory pressure

The announcement came as Conservative frontbencher Patrick Mercer introduced a measure in the Commons to overhaul the existing laws.

And a survey published on Wednesday suggested that 87 per cent of people think the current law is weighted in favour of criminals when it comes to defence of the home against intruders.

"Clearly the public feel very strongly about this issue," Mercer said.

"So do top police officers like Sir John Stevens who support our proposed legislation to enable householders to use the necessary force required to protect themselves against intruders.

"Yet so far the government have insisted the existing law is adequate. The Conservatives would change the law to give homeowners greater rights to protect themselves without fear of prosecution.

"If the government does not back our plans it will prove that they are simply all talk."

He added: "Currently the fear of imprisonment or physical harm lies with the householder. The intention of this bill is to reverse that so that those fears should lie with the burglar."