MORE than 150 cops and two helicopters were used to protect stabbed burglar Henry Vincent's £43,000 funeral procession, Sun Online can reveal.

A Freedom of Information request has exposed the astonishing cost of the police operation at the traveller's lavish send-off.

6 The extensive police operation included 155 cops, two helicopters and 34 vehicles Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

Metropolitan Police revealed that six inspectors, 19 sergeants and 128 PCs guarded the funeral on May 3 - but made just one arrest.

The £43,100 total is nearly THREE times the predicted amount - and the actual figure is likely to exceed that.

The number excludes operational costs for vehicles and the National Police Air Service, which at £850 an hour could add at least £1,700 to the bill.

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral for Vincent, who was stabbed with his own weapon by Richard Osborn-Brooks after robbing the 78-year-old's home in Hither Green, South East London.

6 Police arrested a teenager but later released him without charge Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

6 Two police helicopters contributed towards the £43,000 bill - with each costing £850 in operational costs an hour Credit: Flynet Pictures

6 Police arrested a teenager on suspicion of assault, but later released him without charge Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

Police presence - the breakdown Inspectors - 6

Sergeants - 19

PCs - 128

Other police staff - 2

Helicopters - 2

Vehicles - 34



*£43,100 doesn't include other operational costs such as NPAS (National Police Air Service) and vehicle costs

Tensions escalated quickly after Vincent's death on April 4, with tributes to the dead burglar ripped down and repeatedly put back up again by the travelling community.

The shrine was defiantly erected directly outside Osborn-Brooks' home - and was guarded by police after vigilantes on both sides erected and destroyed the shrine.

Relatives claim the pensioner even had to flee from his home with his disabled wife Maureen after they were subjected to death threats.

At the funeral, mourners hurled eggs and abuse at members of the press, with one photographer punched in the face.

6 Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral of stabbed burglar Henry Vincent Credit: Kent Police

6 Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78, stabbed Henry Vincent to death after he was attacked in his own home

A teenager was arrested on suspicion of assault but later released without charge.

The mood was hostile throughout - with some mourners sticking their fingers and shouting: "The king is dead" at the lavish funeral.

Police guarded the procession from Vincent's mum's house in Swanley, Kent, through to St Mary's Church four miles away in St Mary Cray.

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It is extremely rare for the Met to shell out so much for security at a funeral.

Policing for large events can reach to the millions though.

Even the EFL cup final between Manchester Utd v Southampton - London's most expensive football match of the 2016/2017 season - set the Met back £114,259.

Funeral procession for dead burglar Henry Vincent with vigilantes blocking Richard Osborn-Brooks' road in Hither Green

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