Ford looks at guidance around ‘reasonable force’

During today’s Assembly debate on rural crime the Minister resisted calls for changes to the law and said that sentencing in individual cases must remain a matter for the independent judiciary.

Under the current legislation, a person may use reasonable force to prevent a crime or to assist in the lawful arrest of offenders. This includes protecting your property or acting in self defence.

David Ford said: “It must be for the courts, and not a Minister, to determine what reasonable force is in any individual case.

“I am determined to respect the independence of the judiciary but I want to explore if producing guidance on the use of reasonable force, based on the current legislation, would be beneficial to the rural community.”

The Minister will now write to the Justice Committee and seek their views on the proposal.

David Ford said: “I understand the argument for the use of reasonable force to defend your property. However, what is reasonable force may well depend on what type of crime is involved.

“I find it hard to imagine any circumstances in which the use of deadly force would be justified in the defence of property. People must always act in accordance with the law, support the police and not take the law into their own hands.”

The Minister said that, through the Policing and Community Safety Partnerships, initiatives are being held to address rural crime at a local level and the new Community Safety Strategy will support efforts to make rural communities safer.

David Ford said: “Rural communities across Northern Ireland have specific needs and I do not underestimate the impact of agri-crime on farming families.

“In many cases it goes beyond the loss of property and can add to feelings of isolation and increase the fear of crime. My Department is aware of those needs and concerns and is working in partnership with the rural community to address them.”