Grenfell Tower fire: Inspection of site concludes as police commander says, 'We have everything we need'

But 'large and complex' investigation continues, says officer in charge of probe

The tower's blackened shell has been covered with white plastic sheeting and banners featuring green heart since the one-year anniversary of the tragedy (Simon Dawson/Getty Images)

Grenfell Tower is no longer a crime scene after police completed forensic examination of the building’s charred husk.

The Metropolitan Police is handing responsibility for the tower over to the Government, which will consult the community about creating a memorial at the site of the tragedy in which 72 people died.

Commander Stuart Cundy, who is leading the Metropolitan Police investigation, said “huge quantities of material of evidential value” had been gathered during the tower’s 13-month inspection, adding: “Simply put, we have everything we need from the tower.”

Scotland Yard said in July it had conducted three interviews under caution as part of its investigation, which is considering whether manslaughter has been committed.

While the council still owns the plot, it has not had been involved in running the site since the tragedy, and it will not resume responsibility or have input into its future.

Instead, the site will continue to be managed day-to-day by the independent site team under the command of Doug Patterson, chief executive of Bromley council.

Members of the survivors’ group Grenfell United on Wednesday said they were “relieved” at the news that the Government would be taking over the site.

The tower’s blackened shell has been covered with white plastic sheeting and banners featuring green hearts since the one-year anniversary on 14 June.

Announcing the completion of the forensic work on the tower, Commander Cundy said in a statement: “Police specialists and forensic experts have worked meticulously over the past year to ensure that the detailed examination of Grenfell Tower has been completed to the highest standards.

“This has been supported by a series of off-site tests and reconstructions.

“We have documented the results of a thorough forensic examination and recovered huge quantities of material of evidential value, working with experts to examine the building construction and maintenance systems.

“We have recorded every aspect of the tower, both inside and out, using laser scanning as well as extensive photography and videography which enables us to virtually recreate the Grenfell Tower as part of our ongoing investigation.

“We have carefully planned for this day and are satisfied that passing over control of the tower will have no bearing on the ongoing criminal investigation or any subsequent criminal proceedings.

“Simply put, we have everything we need from the tower.

He continued: “In the six months following the fire, one of our key priorities was to recover, identify and return all those who tragically died to their families.

“From the outset, we have also been relentless in our investigations at the tower.

“I recognise that releasing the tower as a crime scene is a significant milestone and we have updated bereaved families and survivors that whilst our work on the site is now complete, our large and complex police investigation continues.”

The police investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire is taking place at the same time as a public inquiry into the disaster, with each probe informing the other.