Friend or foe?

This seems incredibly poorly thought out...

A shadowy figure lurking in the garden in the early hours. A rattle on a window latch. It must be a burglar.

But don't panic too soon and call the police. That could be them outside.

Officers have begun testing windows and doors at night as part of a campaign to increase home security.

If they find one open, they are under orders to knock on the door and drag sleepy residents from their beds and lecture them.

The move is part of an initiative called Operation Golden which aims to slash burglary rates in Macclesfield, Cheshire.

So what happens when a startled resident maims or kills the 'intruder' out of instinctive self-defense? Oh... wait... Britons aren't allowed to own firearms or other potentially dangerous items. On second thought, this is brilliant: disarm the populace, then get them used to the idea of home invasions 'for their own good.' What could go wrong?