A SUSSEX police chief says the force has come a long way since the racially motivated murder of Stephen Lawrence, right.

Last year the Prime Minister announced that April 22 would be Stephen Lawrence Day to commemorate his death.

To mark the occasion, Sussex Police and crime commissioner Katy Bourne met the Racial Harassment Forum in Brighton.

After the meeting Mrs Bourne said: “No one deserves to be targeted because of who they are, including their race, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or disability, and it will not be tolerated.

“The racially provoked murder of Stephen Lawrence resonated with all police forces and spearheaded a national campaign to improve training and the investigation of all hate crime.

“It is heartening at this time of reflection, to hear the recognition of how far the force has come.”

She said the “rich diversity” of communities in Sussex was one of the county’s greatest strengths and police had worked “internally and externally” to “promote diversity”. Mrs Bourne also said she was “committed to stamping out racial abuse and hate crime of any kind.

She added: “I know that the chief constable and senior officers are committed to ensuring that all reports of this type will be taken seriously and urge anyone who has been a victim of hate crime to come forward.”