Met Police helicopters circling the Grenfell Tower blaze ‘led victims to believe they would rescue them’

POLICE helicopters circling the Grenfell Tower blaze led victims to believe they would rescue them, claims a relative.

The police watchdog has confirmed it is to probe a complaint by the person who lost several family in the disaster.

The relative believes residents stayed inside the building in the mistaken hope of a helicopter rescue.

They also claim the downdraft from the rotors fanned the flames, worsening the fire.

Sarah Green, of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, said: “All aspects of the tragedy should be properly scrutinised.”

The probe will be run by Cressida Dick’s Met Police under IPCC direction and control.

Ms Green said: “This approach avoids duplication of work during the wider police investigation into the fire.”

Use of police helicopters is coordinated by the National Police Air Service, operated by West Yorkshire Police. Their roles and the Met’s will be examined.

The June 14 West London fire killed 71 people.