Police officers investigating the Post Office Horizon IT scandal are now considering corporate manslaughter charges.
In an update, shared with victims in the past few days, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said the investigation was currently focused on eight suspects, with five interviews conducted under caution.
It said there were now 53 persons of interest, most of whom were likely to be raised to suspect status at a later stage in the probe.
The NPCC said the investigation remains focussed on offences of perjury and perverting the course of justice, but it was also considering charges of corporate manslaughter. Companies, rather than individuals, face such charges.