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Since 2017, the Operation Northleigh team has been carrying out one of the largest and most complex investigations in UK law enforcement history.
They have reviewed millions of documents, examined the roles of thousands of individuals and hundreds of organisations, and are building what is expected to be the largest criminal case file ever compiled in this country.
Watch Deputy Assistant Commissioner Kevin Southworth, Frontline Policing, provide an update on the case below:
Despite the scale and complexity, the investigation team has now reached the stage of being ready to submit files of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider. We are on track to meet that important milestone on or before 30 September 2026.
The CPS has made clear that they will then do all they can to ensure that they reach charging decisions before the tenth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2027.
DAC Southworth said:
“The Grenfell Tower fire remains one of the most complex investigations ever undertaken by UK law enforcement. Since 2017, the Operation Northleigh team has shown exceptional professionalism, resilience and dedication in carrying this work forward.
“Working closely with the CPS, they remain on track to submit all files by the end of September. That is a significant milestone and reflects the care, precision and determination the team has brought to building the strongest possible case.
“The bereaved, survivors and residents remain at the heart of this investigation. For the Met, this work reflects the standards we expect of ourselves – being precise, acting with integrity, and maintaining a clear focus on victims as we continue to pursue justice.”
Progress to date by the Operation Northleigh team includes:
- The role of 15,000 individuals and 700 organisations have been examined, with 57 people and 20 organisations identified as suspects for criminal offences.
- Suspected offences include corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, fraud and health and safety offences.
- Investigators have gathered 165 million electronic files in the search for evidence.
- They have examined the work of the public inquiry in detail, including the 1,700-page final report, to cross-reference it against the police investigation and ensure every possible evidential opportunity has been considered.
- A total of 14,400 statements have been taken.
- More than 27,000 exhibits – including cladding, insulation, doors, windows and other parts of the building, down to screws, nuts and bolts - are being stored.
- So far, 15 of 20 files have been submitted to the CPS and 10 of 14 overarching evidence files are complete.
- The Met’s summary reports to the CPS exceed 2.2 million words.
Although the Met will pass the charge files to the CPS in September 2026, that will not be the first time the CPS will have seen much of that evidence.
The Met have been working closely with the CPS and their experienced lawyers since 2017, to ensure that they are provided with all the evidence they require to reach their decisions.
Alongside preparing the remaining material for submission to the CPS, the team has also begun planning for the next stage should charges be brought. This includes working with partners across the criminal justice system on arrangements for potential trials.
While in no way pre-empting the CPS’s decisions, work has also begun on next steps should charges be brought, including plans to build a replica of elements of Grenfell Tower to assist any potential future juries.
We will continue to update on this site as we drive forward one of the most important investigations in UK law enforcement history.