POLICE have released descriptions of three men suspected of vandalising the Stephen Lawrence Centre.

Eight windows at the centre, in Brookmill Road, Deptford, were smashed early yesterday morning in what is believed to be a racially motivated act.

Following house-to-house inquiries and the recovery of CCTV footage, three men have been identified in the area.

Two of the suspects are described as white males aged around 16 to 18-years-old, wearing plain dark hooded tops.

The third person is described as a light skinned black man in his late teens or early 20s and shorter than the other two.

He was wearing a dark hat and had facial hair.

It is believed they came across a footbridge from the area of the Dockland's Light Railway line, before running from the incident.

Police will be issuing leaflets in the area and the local Safer Neighbourhoods Team is available for any concerned local residents to contact.

Lewisham borough commander Chief Superintendent Alan Pughsley said: "This investigation is of utmost importance not just to ourselves and the local community, but to communities across the country due to the significant legacy of Stephen's murder.

"Those who are responsible need to be brought to justice for their deeply saddening actions and we have put in place a robust investigation to ensure this is the case."

He said police still need to hear from anyone who heard or saw anything that morning.

Chairman of Racial Equality Action Lewisham (REAL) Gloria Copeland said: "This is more than mindless violence.

"It is a direct insult to the Lawrence family and to the positive and inspirational initiatives taken as a result of his death."