Grenfell Fire File Reaches CPS, Years Later, The Paper work Finally Finds Its Destination

The Metropolitan Police has submitted its final investigation file into the Grenfell Tower fire to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), marking a major procedural step in the long running criminal investigation into the disaster that killed 72 people. The Met is seeking potential charges against 54 individual and 20 companies. The offences under consideration include corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety offence, fraud and fraud related offences, and misconduct in public office. The Grenfell Tower fire broke out on 14 June 2017 at the 24 storey residential tower in North Kensington, west London. The Metropolitan Police has described the investigation, known as Operation Northleigh, as one of the most complex investigations ever undertaken by a UK law enforcement agency. The CPS has said charging decisions will be made before the 10th anniversary of the disaster on 14 June 2027. Public Inquiry Found Fire Was Avoidable A public inquiry report published in 2024 concluded that the Grenfell fire was avoidable and identified a chain of failure involving government and private sector organisations. The police investigation was conducted along side the public inquiry. Detective waited for the inquiry finding before completing their investigation, allowing them to consider its detailed and technically complex conclusio However, the lengthy process has been a source of frustration for some bereaved families and survivors, who have repeatedly called for criminal accountability. Grenfell United, a group representing bereaved families and survivors, said that familie had waited more than nine years for justice. The group said it wanted those responsible to face justice if they were ultimately found guilty of offences connected to the death. Survivors Continue to Call for Action For some survivor, criminal charges are only one part of what justice means. Emma O'Connor, who escaped from the 20th floor of Grenfell Tower, said she welcomed the prospect of criminal charges for her neighbours and their families but said her own definition of justice also involved removing dangerous cladding from buildings. She also urged prosecutors to ensure that any cases brought forward were sufficiently strong to avoid the possibility of retrials. The dismantling of Grenfell Tower began in September 2025, after the building remained a crime scene for an extended period following the disaster. Huge Volume of Evidence The scale of the police investigation has been substantial. Detectives have investigated the actions of around 15,000 people across 700 organisations and companies and have taken approximately 14,700 statements. The investigation has also examined around 45,000 documents, images and exhibits. Evidence collected from the tower include material recovered during a 14-month forensic examination of the building. Investigators also carried out laboratory testing and examined thousands of pieces of debris, including the refrigerator from the fourth floor flat where the fire began. The material submitted to the CPS include evidence gathered by detectives as well as report containing more than two million words. CPS to Make Independent Decision The CPS will now assess the evidence and determine whether there is a realistic prospect of conviction and whether prosecution would be in the public interest. Importantly, the Metropolitan Police request for charges does not mean that the individual or companies named will necessarily be prosecuted or convicted. The final charging decisions will be made independently by CPS prosecutors following their review. Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, described the submission as an important step while acknowledging the long and difficult process faced by bereaved familie and survivor. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Kevin Southworth said a team of around 220 investigators had worked on the case and acknowledged that it had taken nine years to reach this stage. He said the scale and complexity of the investigation meant that police had sought to ensure the evidence presented to prosecutors was as thorough as possible. Preparing for Potential Criminal Proceedings The Metropolitan Police has also said it is constructing a £2m replica section of Grenfell Tower to help potential future jurors understand the building layout if criminal proceedings take place. The replica is being developed as the original tower is dismantled. For bereaved families and survivors, the submission of the investigation file represents another stage in a process that has continued for more than nine years. The next major step will be the CPS independent assessment of the evidence and its decision on whether criminal charges should be brought.