Top police officer calls the death of burglar a tragedy

A SENIOR police officer sparked outrage yesterday by describing the death of a criminal killed in a botched burglary as ‘a tragedy’.

Sir Craig Mackey, deputy commissioner of Scotland Yard, said that he would not stop shrines being erected for burglar Henry Vincent because ‘laying flowers is not a crime’.

Instead, he said anyone who pulled down tributes to Vincent, 37, could be arrested for a breach of the peace.

Sir Craig was accused of taking ‘political correctness to a great extreme’ by showing ‘respect’ towards the serial burglar.

Floral tributes, cards, teddies and balloons were placed opposite the home of Richard Osborn-Brooks, who stabbed Vincent when he was confronted by the burglar.

The shrine in Hither Green, London, has been repeatedly taken down by locals who believe it to be in poor taste and deliberately designed to antagonise them. Last night only one bouquet remained in the street.

But Sir Craig appeared to defend the right of Vincent’s family to return to place more flowers.

‘This is a tragedy for the family who have lost a loved one,’ he said. ‘It is also a tragedy for the homeowner forced to take the action he did. Those opposed to the flowers should act responsibly, respectfully and reasonably. It’s proportionate and appropriate that people want to leave tributes.’

Asked what action would be taken if further shrines were pulled down, he said: ‘If you do things where you cause a breach of the peace, you could get arrested.’

John Macy, who cares for elderly people in the area, said: ‘That is taking political correctness to a great extreme.’