AN investigation into the actions of Avon and Somerset Police in the hours before an elderly woman was allegedly murdered at home in the Quantock Hills has been welcomed by the force.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is looking at how officers reacted to a report of a man who had gone missing earlier in the day.

The man was later arrested on suspicion of murdering former churchwarden 86-year-old Beryl Purdy, known as Bez, in her home in Broomfield on March 27.

Mrs Purdy was found by police who were called to a ‘burglary in progress’ several hours after the force had received a missing persons report concerning ‘a man in his 30s’.

An Avon and Somerset Constabulary spokesperson said: “All police forces in England and Wales are mandated to refer conduct matters relating to any incident in which a person has died or suffered serious injury to the IOPC.

“The IOPC will then decide whether the matter is suitable for the force’s professional standards department to investigate, with its oversight, or if it wishes to lead the inquiries.

“The IOPC referral process is a vital step in ensuring the actions of our officers and staff receive independent scrutiny.

“We welcome the transparency it provides to ensure public confidence in our police service is maintained.

“We are a learning organisation and will ensure any improvements identified through this process are acted upon.”

The arrested man, who is in his 30s, has since been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and detained in a secure mental health unit.