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Criminal Law (Amendment) (Protection of Property) Bill

The hon. Gentleman has underestimated the absolute exasperation in the countryside at the thin level of policing and the impact of regular burglaries. In the Martin case, people concentrate on the grossly disproportionate use of force, but Tony Martin had been driven to total distraction and almost irrational behaviour because he had been burgled 10 times. The forces of law and order did not support him, because they were not there. Does the hon. Gentleman not see that the Bill would have a deterrent effect? If the criminal law were brought into line with the civil law, there would hopefully be less burglaries and less Tony Martins who have been driven to total distraction and irrational behaviour.