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Stephen Lawrence site vandalised Stephen Lawrence site vandalised
(about 2 hours later)
A building dedicated to the murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence in south-east London has been vandalised only a week after being officially opened.A building dedicated to the murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence in south-east London has been vandalised only a week after being officially opened.
Six large windows at the Stephen Lawrence Centre, in Deptford, were smashed in the early hours.Six large windows at the Stephen Lawrence Centre, in Deptford, were smashed in the early hours.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said it was being investigated as a racially-motivated incident.A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said it was being investigated as a racially-motivated incident.
Karin Woodley, chief executive of the Stephen Lawrence Trust, described the attack as "very sad and tragic".Karin Woodley, chief executive of the Stephen Lawrence Trust, described the attack as "very sad and tragic".
The centre was built to inspire young people to pursue careers in architecture, the career path Stephen hoped to follow.The centre was built to inspire young people to pursue careers in architecture, the career path Stephen hoped to follow.
Stephen, 18, was murdered at a bus-stop in Eltham, south-east London, in 1993.Stephen, 18, was murdered at a bus-stop in Eltham, south-east London, in 1993.
Stephen Lawrence was murdered in an unprovoked attack in 1993Stephen Lawrence was murdered in an unprovoked attack in 1993
The centre, which was designed by award-winning architect David Adjaye and opened by the mayor and contains business development suites and digital audio-visual and design facilities. The centre, which was designed by award-winning architect David Adjaye and opened by the mayor, contains business development suites and digital audio-visual and design facilities.
A police spokesperson said: "Hundreds of windows are broken each week in London and this is a minor investigation. Borough Commander for Lewisham, Ch Supt Alan Pughsley, said: "I have decided the incident will be treated as racially motivated because of the iconic status of the building which has been subject to previous acts of vandalism whilst being built.
"A member of the public has suggested it was racially motivated so we have to investigate it as such." "All of the incidents are being linked and I am determined to find those responsible and put them before a court."
CCTV footage is being examined by officers.CCTV footage is being examined by officers.
I am disgusted by this racist attack London Mayor Ken LivingstoneI am disgusted by this racist attack London Mayor Ken Livingstone
Ms Woodley told BBC London it was the fourth attack on the centre.Ms Woodley told BBC London it was the fourth attack on the centre.
"It is very, very sad and tragic for the family and the staff to come to work a week after the opening and to find eight panels smashed," she added."It is very, very sad and tragic for the family and the staff to come to work a week after the opening and to find eight panels smashed," she added.
"I suppose it vindicates our existence and why we exist to work with the youth of south-east London."I suppose it vindicates our existence and why we exist to work with the youth of south-east London.
"We will recover from this and get on with our work," she said."We will recover from this and get on with our work," she said.
London Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "I am disgusted by this racist attack on the Stephen Lawrence Centre.London Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "I am disgusted by this racist attack on the Stephen Lawrence Centre.
"This latest outrageous act of racism follows several others over the past few months on the centre."This latest outrageous act of racism follows several others over the past few months on the centre.
"It also comes on the anniversary of the inquest that confirmed Stephen's death to be an unprovoked racist murder, and will be even more distressing for his mother Doreen, who has fought to establish this cultural landmark for the whole community.""It also comes on the anniversary of the inquest that confirmed Stephen's death to be an unprovoked racist murder, and will be even more distressing for his mother Doreen, who has fought to establish this cultural landmark for the whole community."