The Ministry of Justice has reiterated that a householder has the right to defend their family from intruders if they believe their lives are in danger following the death of a burglar during an armed raid.
Henry Vincent, 37, died after being stabbed during a botched raid at the south-east London property of Richard Osborn-Brooks in the early hours of Wednesday.
Mr Osborn-Brooks was arrested on suspicion of murder and released on bail pending further inquiries on Thursday, the Metropolitan Police said.
A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: “While we cannot comment on specific cases, our sympathies are with householders who have to defend themselves when intruders break in.
“That’s why we strengthened the law in 2013 to give householders greater protection from intruders.
“Those changes make it clear that if a householder believes their life or the lives of their family are in danger, and they act in self-defence, they would not ordinarily be convicted of an offence.”
In January, he was named and pictured by Kent Police investigating a distraction burglary when jewellery and valuables were stolen from a man in his 70s.
During the botched raid in Park Crescent, Hither Green, an accomplice dragged Vincent toward a van before leaving him for dead, according to a witness.
The second man has not been found and at least one suspect was believed to be armed with a screwdriver, police said.
Detectives think a struggle took place between one of the burglars and the elderly homeowner before Vincent was stabbed in the upper body, but would not confirm if he was stabbed with the screwdriver.
Adam Lake, who lives near the scene, said he did not feel safe from crime and defended Mr Osborn-Brooks.
He said: “He doesn’t deserve to be punished for defending himself, and the neighbours that I’ve spoken to all agree that the priority needs to be to support him after everything that he’s been through.”
DCI Simon Harding, leading the investigation, said: “I would like to speak with anyone who has information regarding the outstanding suspect from the burglary, who is believed to be a white male; he may have told someone what happened at the address.
“It is possible that he fled the scene in a vehicle, possibly a white van, leaving the scene in the direction of Further Green Road. Did you see this vehicle? Do you know where it went after this? I ask anyone who can help to call our incident room as soon as possible.”
A Kent Police spokeswoman said the appeal over the distraction burglary expired in February but the investigation was ongoing.
She said: “Following an appeal for information, a man was arrested and released under investigation. ”
Anyone with information should contact the Incident Room on 020 8721 4205 or call 101 quoting reference CAD214/4Apr.
