For some who live in the neighbouring estate, the death rankles primarily because it compelled British society to change its attitudes to race. In 2011 the Old Bailey heard how Lawrence unwittingly provoked the suspects by simply being a black man on their “manor”. “It’s like any area in London, very diverse, although probably more green than inner London,” he says. Statistically the diversity of the Brook estate is reflected in census figures for its ward, Eltham West, which incorporates 3,859 homes holding 10,399 people. Eltham police station has closed and Clarke, still holding her energy drink, says too few officers patrol the estate.

Source: The Guardian April 21, 2018 21:45 UTC