Grenfell Tower fire: Police investigating manslaughter and other crimes over horror blaze that killed 71 people
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Police are investigating manslaughter and other crimes over the Grenfell Tower fire that killed 71 people and left hundreds homeless.
The Metropolitan Police are investigating a number of offences related to the blaze, the public inquiry into the disaster has been told.
These include misconduct in public office, breaches of fire safety regulations, manslaughter and corporate manslaughter.
It comes as the inquiry's lead counsel has said hearing the voices of all of the fire's survivors and bereaved families is of "great importance" to the work of the investigation.
The judge-led probe into the tragedy is holding two days of procedural hearings, focusing on case management matters such as timeframes, witnesses and the disclosure of evidence.
(Image: Getty)
Richard Millett, counsel to the inquiry, said he hoped those who escaped the blaze or lost loved ones would find "some measure of closure" by providing evidence to the investigation.
He told a hearing at Holborn Bars in central London, attended by former residents and dozens of legal representatives, it was crucial to ensure "something like this never happens again".
Core participant status has now been granted to 424 individuals and groups, allowing them access to evidence and the right to suggest lines of questioning, it was heard.
Sir Martin Moore-Bick, the retired Court of Appeal judge leading the process, hopes to deliver an interim report into the fire's causes and the emergency response by next autumn.
Mr Millett told the hearing: "As to the Grenfell Tower survivors, residents and bereaved, it is of great importance to the inquiry that each individual voice of those most affected by the fire is heard.
"This is a shared trauma, a community devastated, but each of them has their own story to tell.
"Their evidence will be crucial to the inquiry's understanding of what happened inside and around Grenfell Tower before the fire, during the fire and after the fire - their evidence can and will help us save the lives of others."
A total of 270,000 documents is expected to be submitted to the inquiry to assist its work, it was heard.