Hundreds of people have signed petitions calling for the Met Police drop the murder investigation into the pensioner suspected of fatally stabbing a burglar.

As his name began trending on Twitter, people added their signatures to statements supporting 78-year-old Richard Osborn-Brooks, who was arrested after he allegedly stabbed an intruder during a struggle at his home.

They also tweeted in protest under the hashtag #FreeRichardOsbornBrooks, with one man writing: "This country is a disgrace. How is defending your home against an intruder murder."

As the incident reignited the debate about the rights of homeowners to defend themselves, another man wrote: "We have the right to protect ourselves in our own home."

Mr Osborn-Brooks was asleep at his home in Hither Green, south east London, with wife Maureen, 76, when he was woken by the sound of intruders in the early hours of yesterday.

He was confronted by one suspect, 37, who was armed with a screwdriver, police said, while an accomplice went upstairs.

Neighbours said they saw the injured man, who suffered a stab wound in his upper torso, stumble 250 yards along South Park Crescent before collapsing.

He was rushed to hospital by paramedics where he was pronounced dead at 3.37am. The second suspect fled the scene.

A Change.org petition was published last night stating: "I do not think that the 78-year-old man who was burgled and held with a screwdriver at his home at Hither Green, London should be arrested or charged with murder.

"A person should have the right to defend themselves, their belongings and their home.

"Had the burglars harmed him physically, all they would have been given would be a slap on the wrist.

"When will the Criminalisation of Victims of crime who defend themselves stop?"

Not everybody agreed that it was wrong for police to launch a murder investigation.

One man wrote on Twitter: "The suspicion is that he killed somebody. And for that reason he has been arrested on suspicion of murder."

Mr Osborn-Brooks suffered bruising to his arms. He was initially arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm before being re-arrested on suspicion of murder.

He has been bailed to return to a south London police station next month.

Police have appealed for any witnesses who may have seen the second suspect, believed to be a white male, who may have driven away from the scene in a white van.