Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of guidance by the Government on the use of reasonable force for (a) self-defence, (b) defence of another, (c) defence of property and (d) the prevention of crime.

The Ministry of Justice does not issue advice on criminal offences or defences. Responsibility for operational guidance on such matters are the responsibility of the individual criminal justice agencies.

Where there is legislative change made by the Ministry of Justice, it will circulate an explanation of the changes that have been made but this does not constitute legal advice. A circular was published on 26 April 2013 on the “use of force in self-defence at place of residence” outlining the legislative changes that were to be made to it by section 148 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 and section 43 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013. The circular is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/192945/self-defence-circular.pdf.