Grenfell family reports theft from f lat

FEARS have been raised that criminals are targeting abandoned homes in the blackened shell of Grenfell Tower after a theft was reported to police.

Scotland Yard is reviewing security at the West London site after money was reported missing from an undamaged flat last week.

A multi-million pound operation was launched to seal off and protect the block after the June 14 fire, which killed at least 80 people, and the area has been patrolled by police and private security firms.

The alleged theft – and claims that other residents’ belongings were missing – prompted questions about how thieves were able to access the building during a high-profile police investigation into the cause of the blaze and an ongoing operation to recover human remains.

Labour MP David Lammy said: ‘ Where were the police? This is a crime scene. We are seeing a litany of failures for Grenfell survivors.’

Police refused to reveal how much money was reported to be missing, but said the investigation would have to consider who had access to the site, including ‘authorised personnel’ such as police officers, fire investigators and construction workers.

Six families from undamaged flats in the lower floors were allowed back inside their homes for the first time last week to retrieve belongings but said items were missing.

A volunteer who has been working with survivors told The Guardian: ‘These people decided they would go back and face the wreckage and trauma as they wanted to collect their sentimental items.

‘It’s like stealing from a graveyard, it’s really immoral and pretty horrific.’

The Labour MP for Kensington, Emma Dent Coad, said: ‘You would imagine that a crime scene would be closely guarded day and night, yet somehow an outsider has been able to get in and commit this appalling and disrespectful crime.’

Police said they had not received any reports of other money stolen or missing belongings. But in a meeting with survivors, DCI Matt Bonner said: ‘Every other flat within Grenfell Tower is currently being assessed to try and establish if any other thefts may have occurred.’

Extra security is now in place at the site, where scaffolding is being put up ahead of plans to cover the charred structure.