Met Police closes investigation into murder of Stephen Lawrence

Met Police closes investigation into murder of Stephen Lawrence: Scotland Yard chief Cressida Dick says they have failed to secure further convictions for racist killing of black teenager as probe moves to ‘inactive phase’

  • Stephen Lawrence was murdered by a group of racists in London in April 1993
  • Five men were named by the Daily Mail as killers of 18-year-old in February 1997
  • But it was not until January 2012 that two of the group were convicted of murder
  • Public inquiry over probe branded the Metropolitan Police institutionally racist

Stephen Lawrence, 18, was killed in a racially-motivated attack while waiting for a bus in Eltham, South East London, in April 1993

Police today revealed they had closed their investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence 27 years after he was killed in a racially-motivated attack.

The 18-year-old was murdered by a group of racists while waiting for a bus in Eltham, South East London, in April 1993.

Five men were named by the Daily Mail as his killers in February 1997, but it was not until January 2012 that two of the group were convicted of murder.

Gary Dobson and David Norris were jailed for life at the Old Bailey after a trial that hinged on tiny traces of forensic evidence found years after the crime.

Two of the three remaining suspects, brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, have since served jail time for drug dealing, while Luke Knight has remained free.

The original investigation failed to convict those responsible, and the campaign for justice by Stephen’s parents Baroness Lawrence and her former husband Neville led to a public inquiry which branded the Metropolitan Police institutionally racist.

When the force announced two years ago that it was mothballing the investigation and it was unlikely to progress without new information, Doreen Lawrence said she wanted the probe closed.

Gary Dobson

David Norris

Gary Dobson (left) and David Norris (right) were jailed for life at the Old Bailey in January 2012 after a trial that hinged on tiny traces of forensic evidence found years after the crime

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick (file picture) said she is 'sad that we have been unable to secure further convictions for Stephen, his family and friends'

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick (file picture) said she is ‘sad that we have been unable to secure further convictions for Stephen, his family and friends’

However, Neville Lawrence said he hoped the family could get ‘total justice’ and that he would never give up.

Today, Scotland Yard Commissioner Cressida Dick 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.

Stephen Lawrence: Timeline of a racist murder and the 27-year police investigation

April 22, 1993: Stephen is stabbed to death in an unprovoked racist attack in Eltham, South East London. Within days Neil and Jamie Acourt, Gary Dobson, Luke Knight and David Norris are identified as prime suspects.

July 1993: Prosecutors drop a case against Neil Acourt and Luke Knight. Months later an inquest is halted amid claims of ‘dramatic’ new evidence.

April 1996: An Old Bailey private prosecution brought by the Lawrence family against Neil Acourt, Knight and Dobson collapses.

February 1997: An inquest jury finds Stephen was ‘unlawfully killed by five white youths’. The next day the Daily Mail accuses all five men under the front page headline ‘Murderers’.

February 1999: The Macpherson report finds police guilty of an appalling catalogue of mistakes and ‘institutional racism’.

April 2005: The double jeopardy principle, preventing suspects being tried twice for the same crime, is scrapped for certain offences when there is compelling new evidence.

November 2007: Scotland Yard confirms it is investigating new forensic evidence.

May 2011: The Court of Appeal agrees Dobson’s 1996 acquittal for the murder can be quashed and he can be put on trial again.

January 2012: Dobson and Norris are found guilty of Stephen’s murder.

September 2016: Police announce they have received ‘significant information’ after a fresh appeal to identify a woman whose DNA was found on a bag strap left at the murder scene.

April 2018: Scotland Yard admits it has no new lines of inquiry in the investigation into Stephen’s murder and is preparing to shelve it.

Today: Police say they have no further lines of inquiry and the investigation will be moved to an ‘inactive phase’

‘I, and the senior investigator in charge of the case, Chris Le Pere, have met with Baroness Lawrence and Mr Lawrence and fully explained the work the team have been doing, and why we are now at this stage.

‘The investigation has now moved to an ‘inactive’ phase, but I have given Stephen’s family the assurance that we will continue to deal with any new information that comes to light.

‘The investigation into Stephen’s murder will also be periodically reviewed for any further investigative opportunities which may arise, for example with advances in technology.’

She added that the force has told Duwayne Brooks, who was with Stephen on the night he was killed, about their decision.

Commissioner Dick continued: ‘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.’