A police watchdog is investigating after the body of an officer was found in woodland the day after he had been arrested.

West Yorkshire Police cannot yet say where the officer was from, but said The Independent Police Complaints Commission’s involvement was standard procedure in such cases.

A police spokesman said: "We can confirm that the body of a 33-year-old man was found in woods at Lofthouse at 12.40pm on April 18. There were no suspicious circumstances.”

The man was a serving police officer who had been arrested on April 17 and spoken to in relation to alleged criminal offences.

An inquest is due to open shortly.

“The Force extends its sincere sympathy to the family,” the spokesman added.

Police and crime commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson said: "I have every confidence in West Yorkshire Police to carry out the investigation and conclude this matter properly in line with the view of the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

"I would like to extend my condolences to the family of this officer."

The force did not name the dead officer, or specify the allegation he faced.