The Metropolitan Police Service has submitted all files relating to its investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), marking a significant milestone in the criminal investigation.

The 20 files relate to 20 companies and organisations and 54 individuals. The CPS has been asked to consider a range of potential charges, including corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety offences, fraud and fraud-related offences, and misconduct in public office.

The CPS has committed to making charging decisions before the tenth anniversary of the fire, which occurred on 14 June 2017 in North Kensington, London.

Scale of the investigation

The Metropolitan Police investigation has examined the roles of more than 15,000 individuals and 700 organisations connected with Grenfell Tower. Following the gathering and analysis of evidence, 54 individuals and 20 organisations were identified as suspects in relation to offences referred to the CPS.

Alongside the 20 case files, the submission includes 14 overarching evidence files. The Met's summary reports to the CPS alone contain more than four million words across 12,600 pages, referencing over 45,000 documents, images and exhibits.

The investigation team has worked closely with the CPS throughout the process, seeking guidance and advice to ensure the evidence submitted enables informed charging decisions. This liaison will continue as the CPS considers the material.

The police response initially focused on finding, recovering and identifying those who died in the fire. Every flat and communal area within Grenfell Tower was searched, including detailed forensic examinations involving approximately 15 tonnes of debris from each floor.

The tower remained a police crime scene for 14 months. Over the course of the investigation, approximately 165 million electronic files were gathered and examined for potential evidence.

Gathering the evidence

Investigators also examined the work of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry in detail, including the 1,700 pages of its final report. This material was cross-referenced against the criminal investigation to help ensure all relevant evidence had been considered.

In total, 14,700 statements have been taken and more than 27,000 exhibits remain securely stored. These range from cladding, insulation, doors and windows to smaller components and fixings from the building.

While the submission does not pre-empt any decisions by the CPS, the Metropolitan Police is continuing to work with criminal justice partners on the next stages of the process, including arrangements to support the bereaved families, survivors and others affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.

Response from Government

Angela Rayner (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

“The Grenfell Tower Inquiry exposed profound failures in the building safety system. As Secretary of State, I recognise that confidence will only be rebuilt through sustained action and visible change. I will ensure that the lessons from the Public Inquiry drive real and lasting change in terms of how Government works and provide safe homes for people across the country. We must ensure that a tragedy like Grenfell can never happen again.”

Ms Abena Oppong-Asare MP, chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee in Parliament, has observed: “The bereaved, the families and survivors of the Grenfell tragedy have suffered an agonising and unacceptable nine-year wait for justice. I hope that the Crown Prosecution Service will now deliver the accountability, transparency and justice which the victims of Grenfell deserve. I urge the Government to do all it can to help avoid any further delays and, outside of any criminal proceedings, ensure that building safety is a top priority.”

Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, the leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said: “This is a significant moment for all of the bereaved family members, survivors, residents and all those affected by Grenfell. First and foremost, our thoughts remain with them and the 72 individuals who lost their lives. We hope that the legal process gives people the answers they seek.”

Campbell added: “We’ve accepted Kensington and Chelsea Council’s failings, while our commitment to candour, openness and accountability hasn’t changed. We will continue with our focus on meeting the commitments we made following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.”

In conclusion, Campbell stated: “The Council has co-operated fully with the Metropolitan Police Service investigation, just as we fully co-operated throughout the separate Grenfell Tower Inquiry which concluded in 2024. We will continue to provide any information or assistance that’s asked of us.”

Statement from the London Fire Brigade

Jonathan Smith KFSM observed: “We remember the 72 people who lost their lives. Our thoughts remain with the bereaved, the survivors and everyone whose lives were changed forever by that night.”

Smith went on to comment: “The London Fire Brigade accepted the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and has now implemented all of the recommendations from Phase 1 and Phase 2. We continue to work with our partners across Government and the Fire and Rescue sector in order to ensure the lessons of the Grenfell tragedy are learned. Indeed, this continues to shape everything that we do.”

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright stated: “After nearly a decade since the Grenfell atrocity, progress is finally being made towards prosecuting those culpable. Although we do welcome Crown Prosecution Service and police action, the Grenfell families along with our members who were part of the rescue effort that night have waited far too long for justice to take its course.”

Wright concluded: “The trauma and anguish suffered by the bereaved, survivors and relatives of Grenfell must not be in vain. The Fire Brigades Union will continue its relentless campaign alongside the victims’ families to see all those culpable prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

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