Racism two decades on

Flowers lie next to a commemorative plaque in Eltham, where teenager Stephen Lawrence was murdered in 1993. Credit: Matthew Fearn/PA Archive/Press Association Images

The detective leading the investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence has insisted the inquiry is still live, 20 years after the teenager died.

Stephen was 18 when he was attacked a group of five or six men and killed. The murder racially motivated.

Last year, Gary Dobson and David Norris were jailed for their roles in the mindless killing of 18-year-old Stephen - who was stabbed as he waited for a bus in Eltham, south-east London on April 22 1993.

But, the other perpetrators are still at large, and the case has seen Scotland Yard accused of racism and corruption, and the initial investigation into Stephen's death was slammed after a public inquiry.

A report, published in 1999 by Sir William Macpherson, branded the Metropolitan Police institutionally racist. There were also allegations by lawyers representing Mr Lawrence's parents that some officers were influenced by the former drugs baron father of David Norris.

An independent review is now being carried out into allegations of police corruption in the initial murder investigation. A final report is expected to be published in July.

The investigation into Stephen Lawrence's murder remains open - twenty years after he was killed. Credit: ITN

Two decades on, racism is still at the forefront of people's minds.

In a YouGov poll with ITV News London and LBC 97.3, commissioned to mark the 20th anniversary of the murder, over 1,100 people were questioned across the city. Giving honest insight into public perceptions of the Met Police today.

When asked:_**

  • A third of Londoners felt the Metropolitan Police is institutionally racist (37%)

  • A third also said the Met has not successfully dealt with racism among officers (35%)

  • Just under half of Londoners do not believe there are enough police officers from ethnic minorities in London (47%)

  • But around half say the Met is less racist than it was 20 years ago (52%)

Other race-related issues were also discussed and it seems there are some positive feelings within the public.

4 in 10 Londoners asked said they believe racism is less of a problem in the Capital than elsewhere in the country.

Though sports, football in particular, still leaves many feeling a divide.

When asked:

  • Only 4% of people thought there wasn't a problem with racism in football

  • 46% think the football authorities have dealt badly with racism that exists

  • Just 27% think football authorities have handled the issue well

The Metropolitan Police responded to the poll results with a statement, but first issued condolences to Stephen Lawrence's family.