Police staff are being investigated over the way they handled 999 calls about the welfare of a prostitute – just hours before her murdered body was found dumped in a lay-by.

The four Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) staff will now face misconduct hearings following an Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation.

The body of 34-year-old Anita Kapoor, from Hayes in London, was found in a lay-by on the A413 at Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire on June 23 last year.

Following a search for her killer, Navin Mohan, 35, from Southall, was later convicted for murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

The IPCC was called in to examine how an emergency call made earlier that day was graded and reviewed.

Following the conclusion of the investigation, three MPS call centre staff and one MPS police constable will now face misconduct proceedings.

IPCC commissioner Cindy Butts said: "We have conducted a thorough investigation into the police response to the emergency call which was made on the morning of Ms Kapoor's death.

"We have discussed our report with the Metropolitan Police and agreed that four staff members should face misconduct proceedings, which will take place in due course.

"Our sympathy remains with Ms Kapoor's family and friends."

One communication officers will face a gross misconduct hearing, while a communication supervisor, another communication officer and a police constable will all face misconduct meetings.

A date for each of the hearings has not yet been set.

An IPCC report will be considered for publication following the conclusion of the misconduct proceedings.