Henry Vincent: Tributes to burglar killed breaking in to pensioner's home must be respected, police tell angry neighbours

'My officers have a responsibility to provide reassurance to local residents so they can go about their daily lives, while also respecting the wishes of family and friends to mark the loss of a loved one'

Police have urged people to “respect” tributes left by the grieving family of a burglar stabbed to death during a botched break-in at a pensioner’s home.

Officers have moved to ease escalating tensions in Hither Green, south-east London, after angry locals repeatedly ripped down flowers left by Henry Vincent’s relatives and friends.

Vincent, 37, was killed during a struggle with Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78, whose house he had broken into with an accomplice while armed with a screwdriver last week.

The burglar’s family have left floral bouquets, cards and balloons on a fence opposite the home of the pensioner, who was arrested on suspicion of murder but later released without charge.

But the makeshift memorial has been torn down four times by neighbours, who say the shrine is “inappropriate” and “in poor taste”.

Chief Superintendent Simon Dobinson, commander of Lewisham borough police, said he was “aware of the concerns that have been raised by residents regarding the floral tributes placed in Hither Green” but said they should “respect the wishes” of those who choose to pay their respects in public.

He added: “My officers have a responsibility to provide reassurance to local residents so they can go about their daily lives, while also respecting the wishes of family and friends to mark the loss of a loved one.

“They are not there to safeguard or facilitate the laying of floral tributes; we are liaising with the local authority who are considering appropriate management of the floral tributes. I do not want anyone to feel intimidated or that they are not being allowed to respond in a dignified way to a tragic death.

“We would urge members of the public to respect the wishes of those who choose to place flowers and other tributes in the area. We would also request those placing tributes or visiting the area to behave in a responsible manner so as not to disrupt the local community.”

Burglary suspect Henry Vincent was killed during an alleged break-in (Kent Police)

Mr Dobinson said there had been no arrests as a result of the tensions but officers would “assess any potential criminal offences” if allegations were made.

A “small police presence” will remain in the area “to provide reassurance to the public”, he added.

A hooded man ripped some of the flowers down on Tuesday, prompting Vincent’s family and friends to pin more bouquets to the fence.

But the shrine was pulled down again by local man Iain Gordon.

As he angrily ripped down the bouquets and threw them to the floor, he shouted: “These people are scumbags, scumbags, scumbags. We’ve had enough in this country of scumbugs.

“If you don’t know why I pulled the flowers down then you aren’t a human being. Would you go around allowing someone to stab your parents? Would you allow someone to come round with a screwdriver?”

Vincent’s relatives have pledged to keep restoring the memorial if it is torn down. The family, who have identified themselves as Gypsies, say they are being stigmatised because of their background and should be allowed to grieve.

The original shrine included hand-written cards from his children and aunt. One read: “To my daddy, no words can describe the pain and heartache we are going through. These people won’t put us down. We love you dad. We miss you so much.”

The tributes were laid opposite the house of Mr Osborn-Brooks, who has yet to return home since he was freed by police. Neighbours suggested he may never return out of fear of a revenge attack.

Firefighters fitted new smoke alarms in the pensioner’s house, where he lives with his wife who is disabled.

Fire crews declined to comment but there have been fears of reprisals since Vincent’s death. CCTV was installed at the house last week, and it has been boarded up since the break-in and remains behind police tape.