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A shrine to a dead burglar was set up yards away from the home where he was stabbed - as its pensioner owner is forced to stay away under police protection.

Dozens of flowers were attached to a fence just 20 yards away from Richard Osborn-Brooks' home in Hither Green paying tribute to Henry Vincent.

The career criminal died after being stabbed while breaking into the home last week where the 78-year-old owner lived with his wife Maureen.

Mr Osborn-Brooks was arrested on suspicion of murder but has since been released and faces no charges.

He and his wife have been forced to stay away under police protection and today officers were seen removing clothes and belongings including Roses chocolates and a phone charger.

A group of seven women arrived at South Park Crescent in London to add to the cards, balloons and flowers already left over the weekend.

(Image: Daily Mirror)

(Image: Joe Middleton/Ferrari Press Agency)

(Image: Daily Mirror)

(Image: Daily Mirror)

Blue balloons saying "you'll be missed" swayed in the wind and red heart shaped balloons saying "I love you" were attached.

The mourners would not respond to any questions from reporters and stayed at the scene for around half an hour before leaving.

Overnight the tributes were taken down by angry members of the public, with one man filming himself doing it and posting footage on social media.

A card from one of Vincent's daughters told her dad not to worry about what people were saying about him.

It read: "They don't know what they're on about, they only know what they read, but I will try my hardest to get people to understand who you really was." [sic]

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It went on: "Sorry dad that I wasn't with you and tell you that everything was going to be alright, you must have been frightened by yourself.

"I'll stand up for you dad, I won't let you down 'cos I know you wouldn't let me down."

Part of another card read: "I'm gonna miss you Henry Boy more than anything in this world

"There won't be one minute of the day or night that I won't be thinking of you.

"Your forever and always in my heart and my mind.

"I love you Henry Boy all the world.

"Love your Daddy xxx"

(Image: Daily Mirror) (Image: Daily Mirror)

(Image: PA)

Vincent, 37, died in hospital after being stabbed.

The pensioner had found two men in his 1920s three bedroomed terraced house in the early hours on Wednesday.

While one went upstairs to search for valuables, Vincent, who was armed with a screwdriver forced Mr Osborn-Brooks into the kitchen.

A struggle broke out and Vincent was stabbed in the upper body.

He and his accomplice fled the house but Vincent collapsed in nearby Further Green Road.

Clothes and books belonging to the elderly couple were removed from the property today.

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What are thought to be two plain clothes police officers turned up in a Ford transit van and entered the house.

They then carried three bags out of the house which contained clothes, a hair dryer, books, a tin of Roses chocolates and a phone charger.

Their neighbours reacted to the shrine near the boarded up home with fury.

One woman who did not want to be named said: "That should not be there, it is someone's fence.

"It's all a bit over the top. It's out of order.

(Image: PA)

(Image: Daily Mirror) (Image: Daily Mirror)

"The man should not have burgled the property in the first place."

Another long term resident said: "They have taken over the road with this but he can't move back? Doesn't seem fair."

Theresa Webb, 43, a consultant nutritional therapist who lives on the road said the community are "mourning the loss of a life" but their first thoughts are with Richard and his wife.

She said: "It's a great shame Richard and his wife might never move back to the area again.

"Our first thoughts are with Richard and his wife and to make sure they are being cared for and looked after. "