I remember 60-odd years ago my father and many other men and women being conscripted into the armed forces. They were told they would be fighting for their homeland.

With Churchill’s words “we shall fight them on the beaches ... in the hills ... we shall never surrender” and with Land of Hope and Glory ringing in their ears, off they went to defend their homeland from the nasty invaders who were trying to steal our freedom and liberties.

They were given a gun, a load of bullets and a couple of Mills bombs — all this for the homeland.

But should you have to defend your home, if entered by an assailant, one must certainly not be in possession of a gun, so that is out. A carving knife is out — we are told the attacker might use it against us.

Have no fear, all is not lost, you have your mobile phone. But do not use it as a missile as it might cause your assailant harm and then you will be in trouble.

So, instead of taking the law into your hands, inform your assailant you are making a citizen’s arrest. You dial 999, a policeman arrives and takes your assailant away, your case comes to court and, lo and behold, it is turfed out. Why? You forgot to tell your assailant why you arrested him!

I am not suggesting we walk around with blunderbusses and cutlass, but just pointing out the difference between defending one’s home and one’s homeland.

G Woodget Highlands Road Orpington