THE search for a missing woman in South Gloucestershire is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Avon and Somerset Police has referred itself to the IPCC over its handling of the search for 20-year-old Louise Jones from Redditch, West Midlands.

At around 2.30am on Friday, March 30 Avon and Somerset Police were contacted by West Mercia Police asking for assistance locating a missing woman whose car had been recorded by Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras in the Bristol area.

The missing woman, Ms Jones, contacted Avon and Somerset Police at 3.30am and was asked where she was but she did not know. At 7.07am police officers found her dead on Rodway Common in Mangotsfield.

Superintendent Ian Wylie from the professional standards department, said: "Our thoughts are with Louise's family at what must be a difficult time for them. The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating and we are committed to doing all we can to support that investigation."

IPCC Commissioner Naseem Malik said: "My sympathies go to Louise's family and friends for their sad loss.

"The IPCC investigation will focus on the actions taken by Avon and Somerset Constabulary after they were called for assistance by West Mercia Police at 2.30am.

"Our investigation will also look at call handling policies and how the force has implemented IPCC recommendations from previous investigations into the force's responses to missing person reports."