Another fine mesh... er mess...

How things have changed in Ol' England, once known as the wellspring of private property theory, entrepreneurship and the Industrial Revolution:

Residents in Surrey and Kent villages have been ordered by police to remove wire mesh from their windows as burglars could be injured.

Home owners in the villages of Tandridge and Tatsfield in Surrey and in Westerham, Brasted and Sundridge in Kent have said they are furious that they are being branded 'criminals' for protecting their property. Locals had reinforced their windows with wire mesh after a series of shed thefts but were told by community police officers that the wire was 'dangerous' and could lead to criminals claiming compensation if they 'hurt themselves'.

Thomas Cooper, of Tatsfield, Surrey, said he put the mesh around three of his garden sheds after two break-ins over the past four years. He said he decided to take action after reports of a rise in shed burglaries in the area near the Kent and Surrey border.
'I have three sheds and had two break-ins in the past four years,' Mr Cooper explained. 'I reinforced my shed windows with wire mesh, but was told by the police I had to be very careful because thieves can actually sue you if they get hurt.
'"I mean, what are you meant to do? Let them take your stuff? It is ridiculous that the law protects them even though they are breaking it.'

Therein lies the problem: how did it ever come to pass that ANY criminal could sue for injury sustained in the process of a criminal act? A saner society once looked at such people, and with a "tsk, tsk," simply said "well... that's what you get!" Self-defense includes the right to defend one's property.

On days I read stuff like this I wonder if I accidentally woke up in Bizarro World...