Burglars lose their 'Human Rights' the moment they break into someone's home, David Cameron has declared.

The Tory leader's tough message came as he spelled out plans to protect people who defend their properties.

Mr Cameron said "The moment a burglar steps over your threshold, and invades your property - with all the threat that gives to you, your family and your livelihood - I think they leave their human rights outside."

He spoke out while defending proposals to prosecute only homeowners who use "grossly disproportionate" violence against an intruder - if he wins the General Election.

Under current laws, only "reasonable" force is allowed.

But Mr Cameron said the rules were confusing as the meaning of "reasonable" was unclear.

"One of the reasons for raising the threshold is not just what happens in the court of law," he told BBC1's Politics Show.

"It's to make sure fewer cases are taken to court. That fewer people are arrested for doing what I think is perfectly legitimate, which is to defend yourself in your own home."

His comments came weeks after he blasted cops for ticking off Myleene Klass for waving a kitchen knife at intruders.

The TV girl, 31, brandished the blade at a window after seeing strangers in her garden.

But officers said she should not have waved a knife.

Mr Cameron was later criticised by Lord Mandelson, who branded his comments a "sound-bite".

The Business Secretary admitted the message would be applauded by many.

But he said "It's not a practical principle of law that you can operate and which you say that anyone attempting to burgle another house, thereby renounces all their rights under the law.

"What sort of country is he trying to create?"