This year marks the 30th anniversary of the racist murder of 18 year old Stephen Lawrence. In partnership with the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation, National Volunteer Police Cadets & UK Fire Cadets once again join together to remember Stephen, and use his legacy to help to build better futures through youth-led social action and projects.
Stephen Lawrence was born and grew up in south-east London, where he lived with his parents Neville and Doreen, his brother Stuart and sister Georgina.
Like most young people, he juggled an active social life, school work, family commitments, and part-time employment. But he also had ambitions to use his talent for maths, art, and design to become an architect, and wanted to have a positive impact on his community.
Tragically, his dream of becoming an architect was never realised.
On 22 April 1993, at the age of just 18, Stephen was murdered in an unprovoked racist attack in Eltham, south London. He didn’t know his killers and his killers didn’t know him.
After the initial police investigation, five suspects were arrested but not convicted. A public inquiry into the handling of Stephen’s case was held in 1998, leading to the publication of the Macpherson Report, which has been called ‘one of the most important moments in the modern history of criminal justice in Britain’.
It led to profound cultural changes in attitudes to racism, to the law and to police practice. It also paved the way for a greater understanding of discrimination of all forms and new equalities legislation.
Over the last 30 years, the impact of Stephen’s murder continues to be felt widely across all our communities today, including much positive progress led by young people.
We were proud to be invited by Baroness Lawrence to take part in the first Stephen Lawrence Day in 2019.
Since then, Volunteer Police Cadets across England and Wales have partnered with the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation, encouraging Cadets to design and run their own youth-led social action projects, be a positive voice for change in their communities and give a voice to Stephen’s legacy. Teenagers today making a difference, through activities and opportunities Stephen never had.
Since 2021, VPC has partnered with UK Fire Cadets for Stephen Lawrence Day, a great chance to local young people from both Blue Light Cadet programmes to join together on a social action project or other activity.
Stephen Lawrence Day falls on 22 April - but it is not about “just one day”. Projects and events run throughout the year, encouraging young people to #LiveOurBestLife #BecauseOfStephen. Thank you to everyone taking part, who has given so much through youth-led social action and projects, being part of positive change across all our communities.
“Justice for Stephen is about all of us, every one of us, in society having justice. There are still too many young people who do not have a sense of hope, who just don’t get the chance to live their dreams. I want all our children and young people to feel inspired, be confident and have hope in their own future. We are building hope but there is more to do.” Baroness Lawrence, speaking at the 20th anniversary memorial in 2013.