Policewoman's body found in West Sussex woods

Police have cordoned off the house in Haslemere where the woman lived

A male former detective has been arrested after the body of a female officer in her 30s was found in woodland in West Sussex.

Surrey Police were called to an address in West Street, Haslemere, at 23:30 BST on Sunday where it is believed the woman lived.

The body of the woman, a detective constable with Surrey force, was found in Blackdown Woods near Lurgashall.

The 35-year-old man from Haslemere has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A post-mortem examination is to be carried out on Tuesday.

The body was found in Blackdown Woods near Lurgashall in West Sussex

An area of the woodland has been cordoned off while forensic officers carry out an investigation.

The house in Haslemere also remains cordoned off as police forensic teams examine the property.

The arrested man is believed to be the woman's partner but they were not married. He was formerly a detective with Surrey Police.

A spokeswoman for Surrey Police said: "Officers from Surrey Police were called shortly before 11.30pm yesterday [Sunday] to a report of a concern for safety.

"Following inquiries, officers attended an address in West Street, Haslemere and then Blackdown Woods near Lurgashall, where a search of the woodland led to the discovery of the body of a woman in her 30s."