Essex Police refers itself to watchdog over missing man

Police said they were in "consistent contact" with Marc Jones' family and loved ones

A police force has referred itself to a watchdog over its search for a missing man.

Essex Police said it would make a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over the search for Marc Jones, 44, of Marlow, Bucks, reported missing on 23 December.

A body was found at Hockley Woods, near Southend, on Saturday, prompting the force to halt its search.

Work to identify the body was ongoing, the force said.

However, it said officers were in "consistent contact" with the family and loved ones of Mr Jones.

He had been in Essex seeing family before Christmas but was last seen leaving a relative's home in Hockley at 08:45 GMT on 23 December.

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In a statement, Essex Police said: "As with every investigation carried out in the force, we will always look to identify learnings.

"In this case, we will be making a referral to the IOPC. This is not because of any misconduct matters identified but rather to seek to identify whether there were early opportunities or lines of inquiry to be explored which were not.

"In every missing persons case, our goal is to locate the individual safely and without them coming to harm. Officers work determinedly to achieve that goal. Unfortunately, that goal cannot always be realised.

"Marc's family and loved ones have been updated consistently and are aware of our referral to the IOPC.

"Our thoughts continue to be with Marc's family and loved ones at this very difficult time and they are aware they can contact us at any time."

The force worked alongside Thames Valley Police during the investigation.