Flowers left in memory of a burglar who was killed after a struggle with a pensioner should be left alone, police have said.

The family of Henry Vincent, who died on 4 April, have been laying flowers and messages outside the home of Richard Osborn-Brooks, who was cleared over the career criminal's death.

But the tributes have infuriated Mr Osborn-Brooks' neighbours and other locals, some of whom have returned to pull them down each time they appear.

Police have asked that the flowers be left alone as the family mourns Vincent.

Image: The family of burglar Henry Vincent tie flowers to a fence in defiance of outrage from locals

Chief Superintendent Simon Dobinson said: "I am aware of the concerns that have been raised by residents regarding the floral tributes placed in Hither Green.


"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.

Image: Henry Vincent died after a struggle with the pensioner

"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."

The makeshift memorial, which included handwritten cards from the 37-year-old's children, was put in place on Monday night only to be pulled down afterwards.

Vincent's family returned to reattach the tributes on Tuesday - but they were vandalised again within minutes.

Iain Gordon, who said he was part of the Fair Society group, tore down flowers at 12.30pm on Wednesday as the stand-off rumbled into its third day.

Mr Gordon, from Lewisham, said: "These people are scumbags, scumbags, scumbags.

"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?

Image: Mr Gordon said 'these people are scumbags, scumbags, scumbags'

"Would you allow someone to come round with a screwdriver?

"And then be considered human beings?"

It is understood it was the fourth time the tributes had been pulled down. The gate outside Mr Osborn-Brooks' home has become a flashpoint for tensions in the last few days.

One card at the scene, apparently written by one of Vincent's children, 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."

Image: Fire officers visit the boarded up home of Richard Osborn-Brooks

Vincent died in the early hours of Wednesday 4 April, after a break-in at Mr Osborn-Brooks' home in South Park Crescent.

Police said two men entered the pensioner's home, with one of them forcing his away into the kitchen while the other man went upstairs.

Vincent, armed with a screwdriver, is said to have been stabbed in the stomach during a struggle with Mr Osborn-Brooks.

Police have not said what object was used to inflict the fatal blow.

Image: A number of bouquets and cards were left at the scene

Both intruders are said to have fled after the altercation, with Vincent collapsing on nearby Further Green Road.

He was taken by ambulance to a central London hospital where he later died.

Police are still hunting a suspect named Billy Jeeves in relation to the break-in.