A REPORT has claimed "institutional homophobia" may have hampered two murder investigations in the area.

The document examines 10 cases, one of which occurred in New Cross and another in Catford.

The report was released by the independent Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Advisory Group, which consults with the Met police.

It claims the Met has consistently been hampered by lack of knowledge about gays, bisexuals and transgendered people.

It adds the police often relied on unfounded stereotypes and personal prejudices.

The report says: "There were several investigations where we have deep reservations about the way in which the identity of the victim informed investigative decisions at the time.

"We also found evidence of inappropriate attitudes to the circumstances of some murders."

One of the murders looked at in the report was of Jaap Bornkamp, a 54-year-old Dutch-born floral designer stabbed to death in 2000.

The murder occurred after he left an all-night gay sauna called 309 in New Cross Road, New Cross.

It is claimed the police first identified him as a single man, when in fact he had a long-term partner.

The report adds although the advisory group was contacted, gay contacts in the area were not.

It also mentions the case of 41-year-old Emanuel Spiteri, who was killed by serial murderer Colin Ireland in 1993 after they met in a pub.

Witnesses saw Mr Spiteri with Ireland heading to the former's flat in Catford, where he was later found strangled.

Police released a picture of Mr Spiteri in a leather jacket and cap. The report says this may not have been appropriate for a public appeal.

Out of the 10 cases mentioned in the report, four remain unsolved, including the murder of Mr Bornkamp.

A Met spokesman said: "All of the recommendations in the report have been considered as work in action over the past four years."