Fury at plea to ‘respect’ thief shrine

A POLICE chief sparked anger yesterday by demanding “respect” for the shrine to stabbed burglar Henry Vincent.

Comedian John Bishop branded Sir Craig Mackey a “disgrace” after he weighed in on behalf of Vincent’s family and supporters.

The Scotland Yard deputy commissioner insisted the career criminal’s death, while burgling pensioner Richard Osborn-Brooks, was a “tragedy”.

Sir Craig also demanded those who object to the wall of flowers and messages opposite the 78-yearold’s home act “responsibly and reasonably”.

But funnyman Bishop led a wave of criticism after Sir Craig spoke out on the traveller clan’s behalf.

The comic tweeted: “The police suggesting that the family of Henry Vincent should be allowed to place floral tributes opposite the house he tried to rob is a disgrace.

“He was a scumbag who preyed on pensioners. Tributes condone his actions, and imagine how it makes Mr Osborn-Brooks feel. Disgusting!”

Sir Craig spoke on radio after three-days of conflict in Hither Green, south-east London, where Vincent was fatally stabbed after threatening Mr Osborn-Brooks with a screwdriver.

John Macy, 74, of Lewisham Positive Ageing Council, said: “The putting up of the flowers in that quantity was totally offensive. It’s as much condoning the crime as mourning the loss of a criminal.”