TWO police staff have received written warnings for the way they handled concerns about a vulnerable woman who was later found dead at her home.

Lancashire police also had ‘no clear procedures or policies’ in place to deal with concerns for welfare, an investigation found.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) launched the investigation after the 45-year-old Blackburn woman was found dead at her home on March 21, 2016.

A police disciplinary panel found an inspector and customer contact advisor ‘displayed behaviour that fell below the standards of professional behaviour expected’ after the force received two phone calls raising concerns about the woman, known as Ms P.

The first was from a member of Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust’s mental health team who was incorrectly told police could take no action and was advised to phone for an ambulance.

No details of Ms P were taken or a log created.

The same day another call was made by a friend detailing Ms P’s mental health issues and although police called Ms P’s mobile and made enquiries with family they were unable to confirm she was safe.

The next day an inspector decided not to conduct any further enquiries and the log was ‘incorrectly closed down’.

Ms P died of natural causes. Her body was found six days after the first call was made.

IPCC Commissioner Carl Gumsley described it as a ‘sad case’.

He said: “I am conscious that the police receive many calls expressing a concern for welfare each day, however this is not the first time we have had to independently investigate how Lancashire has dealt with reports concerning the welfare of vulnerable people.

“I’m pleased that Lancashire police has committed to improving the way in which it handles such incidents to help ensure these mistakes are not repeated again.”

A police spokesman said: “Our thoughts first and foremost remain with the family and friends of the deceased.

“We accept fully the findings of the IPCC and we have already implemented significant changes in how we deal with calls of this nature to try to improve and prevent recurrence of such incidents.”