Essex Police refers itself to regulatory body over Marc Jones case

Essex Police is referring itself to Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over the search for Marlow man Marc Jones.

Marc, 44, disappeared while visiting his family in Hockley on the weekend before Christmas. He had not been heard from since December 23. 

The search for Marc halted after a body was discovered in Rochford, Essex on Saturday.

On the latest update from Essex Police on New Year's Eve, the force said that formal identification had still yet to take place, but it remains 'in consistent contact with the family and loved ones' of Marc.

In addition, the force reported that it would be referring itself to the IOPC - a public body responsible for overseeing the system for handling complaints made against police forces.

In a statement, Essex Police said:

"This is not because of any misconduct matters identified but rather to seek to identify whether there were early opportunities or lines of enquiry 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."