The black teenager was stabbed to death by a gang of white youths at a bus stop in Eltham, south east London.

No-one has ever been convicted of the murder, which highlighted the failure of the Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service to deal adequately with racial crimes.

This led to the McPherson inquiry which labelled the Metropolitan Police "institutionally racist" and made 70 key recommendations for change.

The Race Relations Act was also amended and extended to the whole of the public sector.

What do you think is the legacy of Stephen Lawrence's death? Have race relations improved in Britain? Tell us what you think?

The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:

To demonise the police and insist on ethnic quotas and communistic "anti-racism" is over the top David Jones, UK

As a serving officer in the Met Police, I think Stephen Lawrence has been turned into some kind of battering ram that the left are using against the police and white people. Of course his death and the bungled investigation were disgraceful, of course heads should roll, but to demonise the police and insist on ethnic quotas and communistic "anti-racism" is over the top.
David Jones, UK

People of all ethnic backgrounds, ages and sexes are constantly the victims of violent and other crime. Try talking to some other groups about their experiences with the police and other so-called support organisations. I think you'll find that they get the same treatment as S.L. The system takes more control of our lives every day. It does not provide the service as advertised. We are left vulnerable. It's the same for everyone, not just black people.
Richard Harris, UK

To those who ask for Stephen Lawrence's memory to be left in peace, I only have this to say... We will be happy to, as soon as we can live in peace.
Jeremy Cedenio, UK

The crime statistics speak for themselves on this fact John, UK

The 'racist' tag is often used to muddy the waters in dealing with street crime in Inner London and other major cities, which is often committed by black young men. The crime statistics speak for themselves on this fact. The recent publicity on the New Year party shooting in Birmingham highlights the prevalence of violent 'black-on-black' crime. Investigating this and other crime is not 'racist' -it is what the police are paid to do. The black community as a whole have to address the reasons for their high crime rate.
John, UK

I believe that many lessons have been learned from the death of Steven Laurence. However, institutionalised Racism in general is not widely spread in Britain any more, although so called activists lead us to believe so. Nor is it the case that all racism is caused by 'WHITE English' people. Many times I have been the brunt of racist remarks and the threat of violence against my person by Asian and black persons purely because I have been in the wrong area.
Mark Coker, Great Britain

Race relations in this country have been made much worse by the race relations act which discriminates against the indigenous people and makes us feel threatened - in Leicester many schools are 80% to 98% coloured; white children are being attacked on a daily basis and because we have been made to believe that we are nothing but racists if we complain we say nothing.
J Davey, England

Perhaps it's time that we accepted racism as a fact of life. No matter how much you try to re-programme people, it seems that human beings are hardwired to mistrust and dislike those from different racial and cultural backgrounds. Maybe we should just accept this an allow peoples to have their own little territories instead of continually trying to create a melting-pot society that very few people outside the trendier parts of London actually seem to want. Why force things? It is only creating more misery for everyone and there's no sign, anywhere in the world, that a peaceful multi-ethnic society can be achieved.
Mikey, UK

I don't think racism is institutional, it's personal Naveen, Wales, UK

I don't think racism is institutional, it's personal. You will always find the odd person who can't relate to a coloured person (and visa versa) and therefore feel threatened by them; and then again you have those who get along well with everyone. It's personal, and it has everything to do with your upbringing and your exposure to foreigners.
Naveen, Wales, UK

The whole time the average human being cannot accept differences in skin colour and culture there will be discrimination of one type or another. As this non-acceptance of others with differences is across the board, including law enforcement, expect difficulties, despite laws in place to prevent this happening.
Hazel, UK

Unlike everyone else I do not believe the murder of Stephen Lawrence was racist. Unfortunately the UK has many groups of thugs who roam the streets and wish to appear 'macho'. Whoever comes in their way will receive a kicking or beating if they respond to a deliberate taunt or remark thrown at them. Stephen happened unfortunately to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. We need to stop talking about racism and talk about 'thugs'. It's violent behaviour that needs to be stopped; not the remarks. We are now aiming at the wrong target.
Anthony, UK

It is disheartening to see some people seem to be of the opinion that it is time to lay the memory of Stephen Lawrence to rest due to the fact that many years have passed since his untimely death brought on by a gang of White, racist hoodlums. I find the views that the matter no longer warrants publicity disgusting in the extreme, especially as Stephen Lawrence's murderers are still free and at large in the community that has done so much to protect them from the just punishment that they so richly deserve. Some people seem to be forgetting that this young man's life was cut short through no fault of his own.
Michael Anyanwu, Great Britain

As tragic as his death was I don't believe that the race problem exists to the extent that some parties feel it does, in terms of white on Black/Asian racism. I think it is very definitely the other way around however. I believe that the Whites are far more likely to be perceived as being racist than the ethnic minorities are.
Bill Spindloe, Philippines

Racism and prejudice is alive and well in this country Cynthia, UK

Racism and prejudice is alive and well in this country. As a recent non-white migrant (who incidentally came from America, invited as an academic), I have really been astounded at the kinds of questions I get from people as to why I am here; am I an asylum seeker or even whether I am a terrorist. I am disgusted. This country makes me quite ill with its relentless attacks on asylum seekers and migrants in the country (especially in the tabloids) and I shall be glad to leave at the first available opportunity.
Cynthia, UK

I was the first black police officer posted to Lewisham Borough in modern times in the 70s. I am one of the founder members of the Black Police Association in Britain. I recently retired from the Met after 30 years service. I listened to an interview on Radio by Commander Cressida Dick and I note her reported comment in your report. The point is that the experiences and perceptions of progress of officers of Association of Chief Police Officer rank are quite different to those relatively more junior black police officers. For me the litmus test is the treatment of black staff inside the police service and how the black community feel they are being treated on the streets. At the moment the picture for these two classes of citizens remains bleak. I was one of the first serving police officers in Britain to speak out openly about endemic racism in the Police. Even today as a retired officer I remain an anathema to some senior officers in the Met Police and some members of the Met Police Authority. It is only when serving and retired black police officers and civilian staff can say they are receiving decent treatment and when black members of the public can say they are being treated with dignity by the police we can say we are making significant progress and not by the assurances senior white police officers.
David Michael, UK

I think that what happened to Stephen Lawrence was appalling and was dealt with badly. But when are we going to let him rest in peace? I think the more we keep going over and over what happened 10 years ago, and not recognising that this is also happening to white families as well as black, then we create racism. Isn't it about time we stopped looking at the colour of someone's skin and just started helping people? We must stop using colour as an excuse for what goes wrong in our lives. Why can't we just accept there are lazy black people as well as white, there are brilliant black people as well as white. We are what we allow ourselves to become.
Margaret, England

Have lessons been learned? I think in large part yes. Stephen Lawrence's death, despicable as it was, has become the spur for change. The racist attack and bungled investigation were so well highlighted by the media (for a welcome change) that lessons had to be learned. Most of the credit has to go to the Lawrence family who tirelessly pursued the police force, government, media and anyone else who would listen. While it is sadly impossible to wipe out racism, it can only be a good thing to have organisations such as the police force taking such a strong stance with regards to racism within its own ranks.
Andy, Newcastle, UK

The big lesson for all of us must be to be inspired by the dignity, courage and determination of the Lawrence family to do what they felt was right often in the face of (police) obstacles and apparent defeat in the courts. If more of us showed these qualities there might be more constructive change in society. The big challenge is behavioural, particularly for the police. A 'canteen culture' of racism coupled with an arrogance as some of them perform their duties can only be addressed through training and as new people move into the ranks.
Stephen Warner, UK/ Australia

Unfortunately it will take a lot more than one often written about murder to change the endemic racism in Britain Jeremy Round, UK/Canada

I think that people in general are more aware of racism and its consequences because of the Stephen Lawrence murder. But I do not think for one moment that racists are any less racist than before and I have seen little evidence that the police's attitude to Black or Asian people has changed. Racism is endemic in Britain and has been for years and unfortunately it will take a lot more than one often written about murder to change that. It took me five years of living abroad to realise this. The only thing in Britain that seems to have changed in ten years is that Britain and the police in particular cover up their racist attitudes in public more or maybe better than before.
Jeremy Round, UK/Canada

If this country is not racist then why does everybody and your media still talk in terms of black and white. This country is racist like the rest of the world.
John Sterianos, South Africa (living in London)

The reason that everybody and the media still talk in terms of black and white is because that is exactly what we are. Black people are proud to be called black and have a strong heritage to go with it. White people the same have their own heritage and are proud of their roots. People should be allowed to celebrate their respective heritages without being labelled as racist.
Paul H, London, UK

We are constantly told that we and our institutions are racist, yet this country elected its first black MP in 1892 - 58 years before the immigration en masse during the 50s. A quick glance around the globe shows we are one of the most tolerant nations on earth.
John, England

The murder of Stephen Lawrence was a tragedy for his family. It is a disgrace that his killers are free. However, 10 years have now passed. Let him rest in peace. There appears to be an industry built around the memory of Stephen that is making a lot of people a lot of money. It is not in their interests to let him rest. The police have a difficult job and they have learned from the mistakes in the Lawrence investigation. I don't think they should continue to apologise. It's time for everyone to move on.
Sandy, UK

The world would be far less racist if everyone considered their actions and their effects before committing to them Sarah, UK

Racism needs to be looked at from all angles as coloured people can be just as racist towards white people as the other way round. The problem isn't skin colour, it is the current attitude of blaming someone else for our problems rather than taking responsibility for our own situation whether that is our neighbour, the police, the government, whoever. The world would be far less racist if everyone considered their actions and their effects before committing to them.
Sarah, UK

The black community hate the police so any attempt to build bridges will largely be ignored. Thus the police will be trying to do their job with one hand tied behind there back. Then there will always follow much shouting and hand-wringing when kids are shot dead and nobody wants to point the finger.
James, UK

Anyone who would say that there isn't a racist culture in Britain is either ignorant or a coward. It is blatantly obvious every single day and I am sometimes sickened to call myself British knowing that this culture exists.
James McEnaney, Scotland

Stephen Lawrence is one of many examples of British (un)justice. In 1999, an Asian teenager got murdered as he was coming of the bus by white thugs. None of you will know about it because it was never in the main stream papers. They got off with community service. Change will only come about when racial prejudice is faced head on and a person is acknowledged not as a black or white but as a British citizen.
Nisha, UK

This issue should have been solved by now, there's no doubt into this is a racial thing. Police themselves are racist, as they haven't done anything about the murder. These white youths should have been locked up by now. If it was a white boy killed by black youths, police would of gone out of there way to do there best. Something needs to be done about the amount of racial attacks happening in London.
Sharan, UK

The death of Stephen is a tragedy. The role of the police has changed; many see it as improved. My whole day is spent travelling from one destination to another, if I pass a police car, the officers will turn and look at me? Why; is it because I'm an Asian? Or are they trying to just fill their stats to say they've done so many things during their daily roles? Many times my car has been checked over and to date I have no offences on my name. Yes, the police force have changed, but not in our interests.
MCR, UK

It makes me angry reading comments like "black people are eight times more likely to be stopped and searched". I wonder if that has anything to do with 80% of London prisons being populated by blacks? I read a statistic the other day the 60% of black adults in London are in prison. What does that tell you? I think the police are entirely justified to stop and search black people, and should not be stopped from doing so by people playing the race card.
John, England

The Met police have taken huge steps in addressing the issues which came out of the Lawrence Inquiry Gilbert Thierry Houalla, London

I am a police inspector in Thames Valley as well as a member of the Black Police Association. I agree with Commander Cressida Dick's analysis of the situation. There is no doubt that the Met police have taken huge steps in addressing the issues which came out of the Lawrence Inquiry and I think it is only right that we should acknowledge this fact. However it is only prudent to say that no organisation can or should claim that they are a "Racist Free Zone" and the police is no exception.

I strongly believe that there is the will at all level of the organisation especially at the top to deal with racism, through their policies, procedures, as well as challenging inappropriate behaviour by individuals. I would even go further as to say it is a good time for ethnic minority officers to join the police service, they will be very well received, and we need them.
Gilbert Thierry Houalla, London

Stephen Lawrence's death was tragic, but does not warrant the ongoing publicity. Many other ethnic minorities are attacked and perhaps killed but do not get to the front page. Yes racism is bad but let it rest, things are getting better. Stop doing the police down all the time. I worry more about the muggings and attacks in my area where the police are afraid to intervene.
Mehmet, UK

I don't think that the police are racist in any shape or form now, or 10 years ago. The police have to adapt to the criminal activity in the area, regardless of the people who are commiting it. In certain areas of London where there is a black majority, you simply cannot accuse the police of being racist for searching people in the street. I live in a largely asian area, and I have been stopped and searched on my way home from the pub before. Did I accuse the police of being racist? No. Let them do the job we pay them for, and stop trying to attach stereotypical labels on the police.
Andy, UK

Is it not time that we let his memory rest? Richard C , England

This lad died years and years ago, in a brutal fashion. Is it not time that we let his memory rest? Or do we simply use his name every time we're not happy with the way the police do their job
Richard C , England

Richard C. from England states that we should allow the memory of Stephen Lawrence murder to "rest". Tell that to his family and friends and people connected to others who's murders have been systematically ignored by police, state and judiciary As the poet W.H. Auden wrote, "The voices of the dead are modified in the guts of the living." It's a shame some of your messages have such a narrow attitude to what constitutes a human being.
K, Scotland

I won't believe we have moved forward until the media stop referring to this poor young man as "The black teenager Stephen Lawrence" as if that were his name. He was "Stephen Lawrence", an individual, and his death was a tragic event as the death of any young person is. As long as he is defined to the world firstly for the colour of his skin we have work to do as a society.
Steve Harrison, UK

Stephen Lawrence's murder was a tragedy and a travesty of justice. I see no point in weakening the police still further, so that they are unable to do their job properly as we are currently seeing in London.
John George, UK/USA

Accusations of 'institutional' racism have achieved little other than to prevent the police force from effectively doing the job it must do. Street crime is up and prosecutions are down - a high price to pay to appease vocal parts of the black and Asian communities. The Stephen Lawrence incident demonstrated that the law is an ass. It's too easy for criminals to escape justice. However, the police can only work within the boundaries of that law.
Mohammed, UK

The state of race relations in the UK is in a good condition. Not perfect, but vastly improved and acceptable. The black community now has to do its part in making improvements in its attitude to the established order and attitude to society in general.
John K, Liverpool, UK

I am an ordinary citizen in this country. I am of Indian origin and I have been stopped by the police on four occasions for no apparent reason. One could argue that they had their reasons for stopping me. I think the job that the police are doing is extremely difficult and I don't believe that the whole police force can be classed as institutionally racist. I feel that there is a lot of work required to change the judiciary system in this country. I would hate to think what the future will be of ordinary honest citizens in this country whether they are black, white or other! Crime in general appears to be out of control.
Mukesh Shah, UK

The police aren't racist - if they were then they would have arrested the gang of black youths who stabbed to death a friend of mine in Bristol. They ignored this, so if anything the situation has reversed.
Tom, England

That his murderer is walking free is disgusting Barry, London, UK

The murderer of Stephen Lawrence is unlikely ever to be brought to justice because it would prove far too embarrassing and expensive for many of those concerned. That his murderer is walking free is disgusting, that there are those who know who he is, but are keeping quiet for their own benefit is intolerable.
Barry, London, UK

The sad legacy of Stephen Lawrence's death is more ambiguity and general skirting of the race issue in British politics. If there is ever a serious public debate about the meaning of 'institutional racism' I believe the vast majority of people would conclude it is an academic term that belongs in weak Media and Sociology course books.
Simon P Hughes, UK in USA

Stephen Lawrence's murder was a tragedy and a travesty of justice. I see no point in weakening the police still further, so that they are unable to do their job properly as we are currently seeing in London.
John George, UK/USA

Accusations of 'institutional' racism have achieved little other than to prevent the police force from effectively doing the job it must do. Street crime is up and prosecutions are down - a high price to pay to appease vocal parts of the black and Asian communities. The Stephen Lawrence incident demonstrated that the law is an ass. It's too easy for criminals to escape justice. However, the police can only work within the boundaries of that law.
Mohammed, UK

The state of race relations in the UK is in a good condition. Not perfect, but vastly improved and acceptable. The black community now has to do its part in making improvements in its attitude to the established order and attitude to society in general.
John K, Liverpool, UK

The police aren't racist - if they were then they would have arrested the gang of black youths who stabbed to death a friend of mine in Bristol. They ignored this, so if anything the situation has reversed.
Tom, England

Each section of society must look to their own attitudes Terry Emerson, London, UK

A lot has been learnt from Stephen's tragic death. However to continually condemn institutions as racist is a misnomer. The police reflect the attitude of society. Each section of society must look to their own attitudes and ethnic minorities should join the police rather than just stand back and condemn them. A lot has been done for change and we all have a responsibility to strive to make society better.
Terry Emerson, London, UK

I think the Stephen Lawrence legacy has caused more racial tension than it has solved. I'm white and I'm sick of being told over and over again that I'm racist. I'm not - my partner is Indian which is a pretty good indication of my feelings on the subject.
Margaret, UK

Stephen Lawrence was killed in 1993, a time when racial tensions were extremely heated and there was growing worry at the rise of the BNP. Ten years on and the situation is back where it was, with the added problem of ignorance and hostility surrounding the asylum issue. When otherwise intelligent people seem to think that anyone with a brown face is not a British citizen but instead a money-grabbing leech who has never faced a problem in their life, it makes me deeply ashamed and saddened.
Dan Mead, UK

While I'm sure that there are racist elements in the police force which need to be dealt with, I think attaching to it a racist label in such a way is not only unfair but is detrimental to the fight against crime.
NN, UK

I do think there has been a slight improvement in race relations in Britain Vinod Chhotu Patel, West Bromwich, UK

Personally, I do think there has been a slight improvement in race relations in Britain. The police these days do seem to take into account the feelings of the ethnic minorities more then they used to. I'm not saying it's perfect, it never will be, but at least they are trying more than before. I can't say if this would have happened if Stephen Lawrence had been murdered or not. I get the feeling some the changes would have happened anyway, but I think his murder 'forced' the authorities to do it sooner than later.
Vinod Chhotu Patel, West Bromwich, UK

I think lessons have been learnt. Apart from the claims about institutional racism there has been a big improvement in police handling of crime scenes; the importance given to the family liaison role, partnership working and police training. I think that the police are more professional now in their dealings with all communities.
Laurence Ward, London, England

The death of Stephen Lawrence was tragic, and I have great sympathy for his family and the police, who have been wrongly labelled as racist. The people who were at fault here are the murderers, who reside in the glory of knowing that they have gotten away with murder. They are the race-haters in this case that should have been subjected to public scrutiny, embarrassment and imprisonment, not the Met.
EL, UK

I should think the police still are as institutionally racist. By the vary nature of being 'institutional', these things take a long time to filter out. You can have all the token gestures, positive discriminations and legislation changes you want, but until the culture (the genuine hearts and minds) change, it will still be racist. The question therefore has to be; how much less racist are the police?
Wendy, UK