Scotland Yard shelves Stephen Lawrence murder investigation after 27 years

Police have changed the status of the investigation to 'inactive'

Stephen Lawrence was killed in a racist attack in 1993
Stephen Lawrence was killed in a racist attack in 1993 Credit:  Family Handout

Stephen Lawrence's parents have condemned Scotland Yard's decision to close its investigation into the racist killing of their son 27 years ago.

Neville Lawrence, Stephen's father, signalled he would attempt to overturn the Met's downgrading of the murder investigation to "inactive".

"I'm not angry, I'm disappointed. Yet again the Met police have failed my family. I'm going to talk to my solicitor and barrister and find out if we can do anything more. I'm not going to stop. I'm not satisfied," Mr Lawrence told The Guardian.

He said the case would never be closed for him and he would always live in hope that one day all those responsible would be brought to justice.

Baroness Lawrence expressed disappointment at the decision to close the active part of the investigation and urged anyone with fresh information to still come forward despite the passage of time.

Doreen Lawrence has said she will never give up seeking justice
Doreen Lawrence has said she will never give up seeking justice Credit: Clara Molden

Scotland Yard said it was closing the active part of the investigation because there were no more viable lines of enquiry remaining.

But a spokesman added that the investigation would be regularly reviewed and any fresh leads or forensic breakthroughs would be pursued.

Stephen, an aspiring architect, was 18-years-old when he was stabbed to death by a white gang in an unprovoked racist attack in Eltham, south east London in April 1993.

The initial police investigation was dogged by allegations of corruption, racism and incompetence and despite quickly identifying five suspects it took almost 20-years to bring anyone to justice.

Eventually in 2012, two of the original suspects, Gary Dobson and David Norris, were jailed for life after a forensic breakthrough linked them to the killing.

But the other suspects, brothers, Neil and Jamie Acourt and their friend Luke Knight, remained at large.

It had been hoped that developments in technology or fresh evidence might lead to the rest of the gang being jailed, but Scotland Yard said at this stage there was little more could be done.

In a statement, a spokesman said: "The Met has confirmed that the active investigation into the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence in Eltham in 1993 has reached the stage where all identified lines of enquiry have been completed, and the investigation will now move to an inactive phase."

Explaining the decision, Dame Cressida said:  “This was an appalling racist murder and I am sad that we have been unable to secure further convictions for Stephen, his family and friends.”

Dame Cressida Dick said it was a matter of regret that the case had to be shelved
Dame Cressida Dick said it was a matter of regret that the case had to be shelved

Dame Cressida went on: “We were able to secure two convictions following a determined investigation in 2012 but it is well known that other suspects were also involved in the events which unfolded that night and it is deeply frustrating that we have been unable to bring them to justice. 

“As a result of ceaseless campaigning for justice by Stephen’s parents, profound changes have happened in policing, the law and wider society. I pay tribute to them for their courage and achievements. And today my thoughts are with them and all Stephen’s loved ones.”

Responding to the news, Baroness Lawrence said: "Eight years after the conviction of two of the men that murdered Stephen I am now told that there are no further leads to follow in the investigation. I am truly disappointed that those others who were equally responsible for my son's racist killing may not be brought to justice.

"I am very sad that a line has now been drawn into the investigation and that it is now in an 'inactive' phase. Despite this, I would still urge anyone who has any information that could help me get all of Stephen's killers convicted, to come forward.

"It is never too late to give a mother justice for the murder of her son. Whilst the Metropolitan Police have given up, I never will.”

Mr Lawrence added: “I will always live with the hope that someone might come forward with evidence which will allow us to achieve full justice for Stephen - by bringing about the prosecution of the others responsible for his murder.”

Neville Lawrence, Stephen's father has said the case will never be closed for him
Neville Lawrence, Stephen's father has said the case will never be closed for him

Knight is the only member of the gang who is not in prison after the Acourt brothers were both jailed for their part in a drug dealing conspiracy.

In February 2017 Neil was jailed for seven years but Jamie went on the run to Spain.

He was eventually extradited and in December 2018 was jailed for nine years for drug dealing.

Yesterday Knight, wearing a pair of pink shorts, answered the door at his parents home in south east London.

However when asked about the case he slammed the door shut and could be heard yelling obscenities.

 

Neil Acourt, Jamie Acourt and Luke Knight
Neil Acourt, Jamie Acourt and Luke Knight Credit: PA

Stephen Dobson, whose son Gary is currently serving life for the racist murder refused to comment when approached at his semi-detached home in Eltham, South East London.

He said "yeah, see you later mate" before slamming the door shut when asked about the news.

Dobson's mother Pauline was also seen at the property, which is just a five-minute walk from the murder scene.

Jamie and Neil Acourt's mother Pam said at her terraced home in Greenwich: "I've got nothing to say. I'm not interested."

 

 

License this content