The investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire is on track by the end of September to submit all files for charging decisions to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Metropolitan Police said today.

According to the Met, the scale of the police investigation is “immense” with the role of 15,000 individuals and 700 organisations examined.

As a result, 57 people and 20 organisations are now considered suspects for criminal offences, including corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, misconduct in public office, fraud and health and safety matters.

The Met said its team of investigators has now increased to 220 in order to support work to submit the files in the timescales it promised to the bereaved families and survivors.

It added that work has also begun on next steps should charges be brought, including plans to build a replica of elements of the tower to assist any potential future juries.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Kevin Southworth, said: “The Grenfell Tower fire remains one of the most complex investigations ever undertaken by any UK law enforcement agency. Our investigation began in June 2017 and has continued relentlessly since.

“We have been working in close partnership with the CPS for many years already and are on schedule to submit all files this autumn. The CPS will then consider them in detail to make charging decisions and are confident they can do so before the 10^th anniversary of the fire.

“While our timescales are on track, we know for the bereaved, survivors and residents, who remain at the heart of everything we do, it has been a very long wait to get to this point.

“We cannot begin to understand the impact upon them of such a lengthy investigation, running alongside a public inquiry, but they have our commitment we have worked as quickly as possible while ensuring our investigation is meticulous to present the very best possible evidence to the CPS for charging decisions.”

To demonstrate the scale of the investigation the Met revealed that:

• Investigators have gathered 165 million electronic files to search for evidence
• They examined in detail the work of the public inquiry, including the 1,700 pages of the final report, to cross reference against the police investigation and ensure they had obtained every possible piece of evidence
• 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, nut and bolts, are stored in a warehouse
• So far 15 of 20 files have been submitted to the CPS and 10 of 14 overarching evidence files are complete
• The word counts of the Met’s summary reports to the CPS exceeds 2.2 million.

Frank Ferguson, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Our thoughts remain with the bereaved families, survivors and all those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire, who have endured a long and deeply painful wait for answers.

“We have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police Service over a number of years as this substantial and complex investigation has progressed, and we understand how important the next stage is for those impacted. As the files are submitted, we will consider all the available evidence carefully, independently and in line with our legal test.

“We are committed to carrying out that task thoroughly, fairly and as expeditiously as possible, recognising the significance of these decisions for all those affected.”

While it will be a matter for the CPS to decide if charges should be brought, the investigation team said it is now planning for any potential court proceedings.

If trials take place, they will be some of the most complex ever held in the UK and the replica will bring to life how elements of the building looked before, during and after its refurbishment for jurors in a way a drawing or 3D rendering cannot.