On Monday, the Crown Prosecution Service for England and Wales set out guidelines about the ‘reasonable force’ that people can use against intruders in their homes.
The guidelines were prompted by public concern over the support for householders defending themselves against burglars, and state that they can use ‘reasonable force’ within their homes, including using weapons that are close to hand.
But no such guidelines are expected from the Island authorities, and the UK guidelines do not cover Jersey.
The Solicitor General, Stéphanie Nicolle, QC, issued a statement saying: ‘Although we have seen what has been happening in the UK, we have no intention of issuing any advice from here.
We do not see any reason to do that.
‘We will consider possible prosecution on the facts of each particular case, just as we do with every prosecution.’ The chief officer of the States of Jersey Police, Graham Power, said that there had been no recent cases where the issue of householders defending themselves against intruders had been raised, and pointed out that the Jersey rate of arrest for burglary was twice that of the UK.
He added that if a case of a householder using force against an intruder arose, his officers would seek guidance and assistance from the Law Officers at an early stage.
