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Stephen Lawrence site vandalised Lawrence family 'hurt' by attack
(about 1 hour later)
A building dedicated to the murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence in south-east London has been vandalised only a week after being officially opened. The family of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence said they were "devastated" by racially-motivated vandalism at a centre built in his memory.
Six large windows at the Stephen Lawrence Centre, in Deptford, were smashed in the early hours. Six windows were smashed at the Stephen Lawrence Centre in London, a week after it officially opened.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said it was being investigated as a racially-motivated incident. A spokeswoman for the family said it was the fourth time the Deptford centre had been targeted since last October.
Karin Woodley, chief executive of the Stephen Lawrence Trust, described the attack as "very sad and tragic". The window smashing caused damage valued at £120,000, and is being treated as a racial attack by police.
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 1993 'Great sadness'
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. Karin Woodley, chief executive of the Stephen Lawrence Trust, said on behalf of the family: "They are devastated, but this won't hinder the work of the charity."
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. She said Stephen's mother, Doreen, has been to the building.
"All of the incidents are being linked and I am determined to find those responsible and put them before a court." "She feels great sadness like we all do but this has also reinforced her determination," Ms Woodley said.
CCTV footage is being examined by officers. It is the fourth time the facility had been attacked, she said, and that the other attacks may also have been racially-motivated.
I am disgusted by this racist attack London Mayor Ken Livingstone Stephen Lawrence was murdered in an unprovoked attack in 1993She told BBC London it was "sad and tragic" for the family and staff to find the window panels smashed.
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.
"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.
Liberal Democrat candidate for London Mayor Brian Paddick visited the scene.
He said: "This is a symbolic building for the local community but also for the racist, which is why it has come under attack.
"You have to ask what the local police have done to investigate the attacks."
I am disgusted by this racist attack London Mayor Ken Livingstone 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.
"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.
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."
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said: "It is despicable that some twisted person would want to vandalise the centre. I hope that the vandals are swiftly caught and punished."