WILLIAM Hague is absolutely right, we do need the law on self-defence to be clarified.

Anyone who doubts it need only reflect on the recent case in which a father was prosecuted for defending himself and his 14-year-old daughter from a mob of 60 teenagers who surrounded his car and tried to attack them.

It was probably only the commonsense of the jury, who asked the judge to stop the case and acquit him, which saved him from a criminal conviction and a possible prison sentence.

As for the claim by Crispian Strachan, Northumbria police chief, that Mr Hague's comments could increase the levels of violent assault and killings; well, if he got out of his office occasionally he would find that violent assaults and killings are already high. Contrary to the emotive language being used by his detractors, Mr Hague is not suggesting that the public be allowed to administer justice on those they believe have committed an offence -- which is what a true "lynch mob" does. He is asking that someone disturbing an intruder at 3am be given a proper definition of what constitutes "reasonable force" in what, at that hour, would undoubtedly be a highly volatile and rapidly changing situation.

To those who believe we should put our head under the bedclothes and hope that the intruder takes our possessions but does not hurt us, I would repeat the saying: "It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees".

TERENCE MILES,

Teak Street, Bury.