I fully agree with Nicholas Boles's thoughts and views on toughening the law concerning burglars who are confonted by their victims (The Argus, December 16).

With 90 burglaries carried out in Hove alone in October something has to be done to protect the ever increasing number of innocent victims of this crime.

Many of these burglaries are committed when the householders are at home, causing great distress to the families involved.

At present, there is a good chance any one who defends themself while confronting a burglar in their home could be prosecuted.

This has got to change in favour of the victim. More thought and support should be given to the victims of crime rather than the burglars.

Victims, too, have rights, and more than the burglar should have.

I am pleased Conservative MP for Newark, Patrick Mercer, has introduced a Bill into Parliament to change this crazy current situation.

Under this Bill, the law would be changed so that householders who use reasonable force to defend themselves and their home would be free from prosecution.

Only unreasonable force causing serious injury or death would lead to the householder facing prosecution.

I am surprised many Labour MPs are opposed to these changes. I, like Mr Boles, find this astonishing as more and more people are becoming the victims of this kind of crime.

-Steve Fuller, Hove