THERE was a heavy police presence at the funeral of stabbed burglar Henry Vincent as tempers flared among mourners.

The body of Vincent - fatally stabbed by a pensioner whose home he was burgling - was carried in a silver Mercedes with a white floral arrangement spelling out “Daddy” next to the coffin.

It was followed by a long convoy of vehicles, each with its own floral tribute on top, including a caravan and a boxing ring.

One mourner was seen sticking two fingers at passers-by from the window of a funeral car.

Vincent died from a stab wound inflicted by Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78, at his home in Hither Green, south east London, on April 4.

The procession did several loops of the area, with Vincent’s loved ones walking behind during the final stretch.

Police warned the public and journalists to leave the area near St Mary’s Church in St Mary Cray, south east London, where a service for the 37-year-old was to be held.

Spotting photographers ahead, the mourners began yelling abuse and a missile was thrown.

Flowers were tied with red ribbons to lampposts around the perimeter of the churchyard, reminiscent of tributes left by Vincent’s loved ones near the scene of his final crime in Hither Green.

Concern has been brewing that the intruder’s final send-off could descend into an ugly confrontation between the bereaved and supporters of Mr Osborn-Brooks.

In the wake of the killing, a bitter row developed over a shrine set up in Vincent’s memory opposite the house, which was repeatedly desecrated.

Despite police reassurance that the funeral procession would not enter into Lewisham, one resident used his car to block the entrance to South Park Crescent in Hither Green on Thursday morning, near where Vincent was stabbed last month.

Mr Osborn-Brooks was initially arrested on suspicion of murder but was later released without charge.

The pensioner’s arrest provoked a public outcry, and an online fundraising campaign subsequently raised thousands of pounds.