UK: Stephen Lawrence Centre attacked by vandals

An architectural centre built in honour of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence was vandalised last night, only one week after it opened, police said.

The incident is being treated as racial and is being investigated by the hate crime unit, Scotland Yard confirmed. Vandals threw bricks at the centre on Brookmill Road in Deptford, south-east London.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: “The incident is being treated as racial. That follows an allegation by a member of public.

The Stephen Lawrence Centre was opened last Thursday as a "laboratory for developing new methods of support for young people from disadvantaged communities".

According to the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, it is “an enduring celebration of Stephen’s life”, a place for community learning and social research that will “inspire and motivate young people to pursue successful careers”.

Stephen had wanted to become an architect before his life was cut short.

Stephen was murdered at a bus stop near his home in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993. Five men were arrested shortly afterwards but no-one has been convicted of his killing.

In the aftermath of Stephen’s death there was a vigorous campaign seeking justice for his murder. In 1997 then Home Secretary Jack Straw set up a public inquiry into the original police investigation into the killing.

And in 1999 the publication of the inquiry report became a watershed in British policing.

It found the force was “institutionally racist” and made 70 recommendations, bringing about fundamental changes in the law.

Scotland Yard committed itself to stamping out racism in the force and public bodies are now obliged to promote equality and tackle discrimination.