LONDON: Singer-actress Myleene Klass has opened up about the attempted burglary episode at her home in Potters Bar, Herts.

Klass said that she was stunned after she received a telling-off from cops for waving a knife at burglars outside her home.

Klass, 31, had waved the knife through a window when she saw men trying to break into her garden shed, and after she shouted at them they approached to peer menacingly through the windows.

When they saw the knife the men ran off, but police who visited her home told her that she could be the one liable for prosecution, as carrying an "offensive weapon" was illegal - even in her own home.

And Klass believes the problem lies with a "diabolical" law that prevents householders from protecting themselves against intruders.

"Who on earth put such a ridiculous law in place and how have we got to a point where this law was considered reasonable?"the Telegraph quoted her as saying.

She continued: "People who are in their houses, the vulnerable, the elderly, you don't even give them a right to fight back if that's what they deem to be all they can do at the time.

"If intruders are on your property and they shouldn't be and you don't know what they are carrying and what threat they pose to your family, what are you supposed to do? Invite them into your house and divvy it up for them? The bottom line is, they have no right to be there. You have every right as a homeowner to protect your house and family and the law should be on your side.

She added: "I've had people coming up to me telling me stories where their ribs have been broken at the door...And nobody's been able to do anything to protect them. People are angry and frustrated and I'm angry that I protect my baby and nobody protects me, and I get in trouble for doing so. It's a joke. I'm fighting every single day against the urge to feel frightened in my own home now.

"How can a man question whether he's allowed to use a certain amount of force on people that deem it their right to take and frighten a young mum or a grandmother at home."

And she urges the Government to "Protect the innocent, don't send them to jail. I reacted the way any mother alone protecting her family would. We should be commended for that, and we should have the backing of the government and the law.

"Any mother should be able to protect herself and her child without feeling they've committed a crime. The weapon should not be turned on us."