This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-43710526

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Tributes to Hither Green 'burglar' Henry Vincent torn down Tributes to Hither Green 'burglar' Henry Vincent replaced by family
(about 3 hours later)
Tributes to a suspected burglar who was stabbed to death have been torn down. The family of a suspected burglar who was stabbed to death have reattached tributes that were torn down.
Friends and family of Henry Vincent, 37, had tied floral tributes to a fence opposite a home in Hither Green, south-east London, where he was killed last week. Flowers and balloons for Henry Vincent, 37, had been tied to a fence opposite a home in Hither Green, south-east London, where he was killed last week.
However, overnight the majority of the bouquets and balloons have been taken down and left on the pavement. However, overnight the majority of the items were taken down and left on the pavement.
The homeowner Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78, was held on suspicion of murder, but released with no further action. Three women arrived and re-fastened 20 bouquets and balloons to the same fence on Tuesday afternoon.
The Met Police says it has not taken down any of the tributes from the fence opposite Mr Osborn-Brooks's house. Homeowner Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78, was held on suspicion of murder, but released with no further action.
Mr Vincent's cousin Phoebe Smith, 34, said whoever had torn down the flowers "should be ashamed of themselves". Elvina Lee, who said she was Mr Vincent's first cousin, said it was "the best place for these flowers to be".
"It's terrible, they don't understand that it's somebody's child. They're a memory of a son and a friend," she added. "I don't know what's wrong with these people [who took them down]," she added.
She said Mr Vincent's family, understood to be from the travelling community, should be "allowed to lay flowers for Henry". "He wasn't a murderer, he wasn't a rapist, they're putting [sic] him as a monster."
Saverimuthu Augustine, 78, said some of the tributes had been attached to his property. The Met Police said it had not taken down any of the tributes from the fence opposite Mr Osborn-Brooks's house.
Saverimuthu Augustine, 78, said some of the items had been attached to his property.
He added: "I am annoyed they put them on my fence. I do not appreciate it.He added: "I am annoyed they put them on my fence. I do not appreciate it.
"If it is a normal person it is different - it could have been my house [that was burgled].""If it is a normal person it is different - it could have been my house [that was burgled]."
On Tuesday, the only tribute left on the fence was a teddy bear containing an emotional note from Mr Vincent's children. The only tribute that had been left on the fence next to a teddy bear was an emotional note from Mr Vincent's children.
Mr Vincent's cousin Phoebe Smith, 34, said whoever had torn down the flowers "should be ashamed of themselves".
"It's terrible, they don't understand that it's somebody's child. They're a memory of a son and a friend," she added.
A 33-year-old neighbour, who did not want to be named, told the BBC he feels "intimidated".A 33-year-old neighbour, who did not want to be named, told the BBC he feels "intimidated".
"I think that it's really sad that someone's died and I think it's not their fault that he's died and it's up to them to grieve for him however they want to do it."I think that it's really sad that someone's died and I think it's not their fault that he's died and it's up to them to grieve for him however they want to do it.
"It is quite stark and you can't help but feel it looks a bit confrontational."It is quite stark and you can't help but feel it looks a bit confrontational.
"It's a massive, massive display right in front of the house. If the family want to lay flowers that's fine but it feels weird. It feels a bit aggressive to be honest.""It's a massive, massive display right in front of the house. If the family want to lay flowers that's fine but it feels weird. It feels a bit aggressive to be honest."
At the scene: Hamish Mackay, BBC news onlineAt the scene: Hamish Mackay, BBC news online
Many residents in Hither Green have interpreted the large tribute to Mr Vincent, which has now been cut down, as an aggressive act. Many residents in Hither Green have interpreted the large tribute to Mr Vincent as an aggressive act.
One neighbour said they saw a car circling the block while the tribute was being erected, which they believe was an attempt to intimidate locals.One neighbour said they saw a car circling the block while the tribute was being erected, which they believe was an attempt to intimidate locals.
If intimidation was the aim, it appears to have worked. Most neighbours are reluctant to talk publicly, for fear of being drawn into a dispute that may not be over.If intimidation was the aim, it appears to have worked. Most neighbours are reluctant to talk publicly, for fear of being drawn into a dispute that may not be over.
While those living on South Park Crescent have all been quick to offer condolences to Mr Vincent, they argue his is not the only life that has been ruined.While those living on South Park Crescent have all been quick to offer condolences to Mr Vincent, they argue his is not the only life that has been ruined.
Mr Osborn-Brooks and his family have not returned to their house since the burglary and their windows have now been boarded up for fear of reprisals.Mr Osborn-Brooks and his family have not returned to their house since the burglary and their windows have now been boarded up for fear of reprisals.
Another neighbour, Theresa Webb, described the tributes as "inappropriate" and of "poor taste".Another neighbour, Theresa Webb, described the tributes as "inappropriate" and of "poor taste".
"I'm relieved it is down. There were 101 bouquets down there," she added."I'm relieved it is down. There were 101 bouquets down there," she added.
"But I can't say what a mother's or a family's grief is.""But I can't say what a mother's or a family's grief is."
Speaking about Mr Osborn-Brooks, she added: "One minute he is in his house and the next his life is turned upside down.Speaking about Mr Osborn-Brooks, she added: "One minute he is in his house and the next his life is turned upside down.
"Everyone around here sends their best wishes to him.""Everyone around here sends their best wishes to him."
Police had been called to Mr Osborn-Brooks's property at about 00:45 BST on 4 April over reports of a burglary when they found Mr Vincent collapsed in nearby Further Green Road.Police had been called to Mr Osborn-Brooks's property at about 00:45 BST on 4 April over reports of a burglary when they found Mr Vincent collapsed in nearby Further Green Road.
A witness said an accomplice dragged Mr Vincent toward a van before leaving him for dead.A witness said an accomplice dragged Mr Vincent toward a van before leaving him for dead.
On Monday, the Met Police said 28-year-old Billy Jeeves was wanted in connection with the burglary.On Monday, the Met Police said 28-year-old Billy Jeeves was wanted in connection with the burglary.
Mr Jeeves's white Vauxhall Astra van was found burnt out and destroyed in Star Lane in Orpington, Kent, on Saturday evening.Mr Jeeves's white Vauxhall Astra van was found burnt out and destroyed in Star Lane in Orpington, Kent, on Saturday evening.
Detectives want to hear from anybody who may have seen the van - with the registration GU52 AXT - in the days and hours before and after the burglary.Detectives want to hear from anybody who may have seen the van - with the registration GU52 AXT - in the days and hours before and after the burglary.
In January, Mr Jeeves and Mr Vincent were named and pictured by Kent Police in connection with an investigation into a distraction burglary on a man in his 70s.In January, Mr Jeeves and Mr Vincent were named and pictured by Kent Police in connection with an investigation into a distraction burglary on a man in his 70s.