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 said that he wanted to "finally lay the issue to rest once and for all" following a series of high-profile cases where home owners who have confronted criminals have been arrested. In the future, only those using clearly excessive force, such as stabbing a burglar who was already unconscious, should face the prospect of criminal action, he said.

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.

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