Neighbours rally to support elderly foster care couple after Parsons Green arrest

Penelope and Ronald Jones' home raided in connection with 18-year-old suspected of involvement with the attack

Police closed off Cavendish Street on Saturday while they searched the couple's house (Getty Images)

Neighbours of the elderly foster couple who provided a home to the teenager arrested in connection with the Parsons Green attack, have rallied around to support them.

Penelope Jones, 71, and her husband Ronald, 89, have temporaily moved out of their house in Sunbury-on-Thames, which police raided after an 18-year-old was arrested in the departures area of Dover port.

In an online group, residents of the town spoke of their admiration for the couple from the Surrey town.

An initial post by Terry Ransom said: "Can we now show our support for the foster carers who have been caught up in the incident at Sunbury, who gave shelter to those that needed it. I sincerely hope that they are treated well by all involved."

Within hours, the post had more than 290 likes.

Heather Woodbridge pointed out that the couple have done a lot for young people locally, saying they were involved in setting up a youth club in the town.

"(It's) nothing to do with them," said Sonia Shuter. "Foster carers are amazing people and I'm sure this lovely couple are too. I hope they get the support they need."

Jean Higgins said Ms Jones was born in the house that was searched.

"Her and her husband have done a great deal in the community," she said. "Have a thought for what they must be going through."

Chris Smith called them a "very kind couple" and said he's known them for more than 40 years.

"The poor souls will be traumatised," said Mary Harwood.

Several locals said they planned to send cards to the couple to offer encouragement and assistance, while Jessica Mattock suggested they put a card or book in a local shop so many neighbours could sign it.

"They are good people who have given a lot of their life caring, I think that's all we need to say, let them know they have the support of people," said Anne Leavey. "Without them doing what they do life would have been a lot harder for a lot of foster children, whatever their age."

Not all comments were positive.

"I'm not blaming them but they haven't helped the situation," said Courtney Leigh Pederson, who complained her mother hadn't been allowed into her house all night "because of them."

"At the very worst this couple were naive," said Sue Meredith, before adding the couple have done more than most for young people. "Fostering is not an easy ride, and the money barely covers board and lodging."

"There can be nothing naive about a couple who have fostered 268 children over the years," responded Carol Box. "They must be a wonderful couple - their hearts are full of love. Thoughts and prayers are with them that they may be protected from negative, judgemental comments, which reflect far worse on the people who make them than on the couple themselves."

An undated interview with Elmbridge CAN, a group which aims to create "a culture of welcome" for refugees, said the couple had taken in at least 268 children over four decades.

Fostering has its "ups and downs," Ms Jones said in the interview, adding: "They're all children, it doesn't matter if they're sky blue or with pink dots on them - they just need to be loved."

In 2010, the couple were awarded by MBEs by Queen Elizabeth for their foster work.