Chris Grayling is to change the law "at the first opportunity" to give stronger legal safeguards to those who use force to protect their family or property.
Mr Grayling, who will address the Conservative Party conference on Tuesday, said that he wanted to bring a "sharper narrative on law and order issues". His first move would be to change the law to give greater protection to home owners. It currently says only that they are entitled to use "proportionate" force.