Thames Valley Police is to be investigated by an independent watchdog over its response following the disappearance of Ellis Downes. 

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is looking into the force's response to the disappearance of Ellis, who was recovered by volunteer divers from the River Thames near Abingdon on Monday, May 9.

The 16-year-old from Harwell went missing on the Saturday night.

Friends said they spotted him struggling in the water as he went swimming near The Burycroft in Culham after a barbecue on the riverbank.

Nikki Ross, assistant chief constable of Thames Valley Police, has already apologised  following a barrage of criticism over the way Thames Valley Police handled the search for his body.

It then made a voluntary referral to the IPCC. 

IPCC Associate Commissioner Guido Liguori today said: "My thoughts are with Ellis’s family and friends at this tragic time.

"We will carry out a thorough investigation so we can try and answer the many questions that have been asked about the police response to this tragedy.

"Our investigation will also consider whether any lessons can be learned by the police."

Ellis' family dismissed the apology from Nikki Ross on Saturday, saying it was "too little too late" after it admitted a lack of compassion during its search for his body.

In a video statement released on the force's YouTube channel she said: "I am profoundly sorry for the treatment of the Downes family over the weekend in particular the level of support, compassion, the lack of information and communication that we afforded them and particularly to Mr and Mrs Downes and Ellis' two sisters."

The family had previously slammed the force, claiming they turned away an experienced dive team which had turned up to recover his body, failed to provide them with immediate family liaison, and left them to ring for updates after officers failed to communicate.

Ellis’ 48-year-old uncle, Didcot resident Spencer Jefferies, said: "It's too little too late. It shouldn't have happened in the first place - the search for Ellis was treated worse than if they had lost a dog. There was absolutely no compassion.

"They have just been humbled, they are on their knees hoping for the best. Anything not to make them look as bad, trying to cover their tracks."

He said Superintendent Rory Freeman had visited Ellis' parents at their home to apologise but had "ummed and ahhed" when Mr Jefferies asked if he would make it public.

Officers are said to have only permitted leading forensic dive team Specialist Group International into the water when Ellis' dad Darren stormed over to the riverside and threatened to jump in himself.

The force claimed the water was too murky and it was waiting on Met divers due to arrive the next day, excuses labelled a "waste of time" by SGI's chief diver Peter Faulding who said senior police had previously given his team the go-ahead. 

Mr Downes' sister Alex, 19, said the force should be 'ashamed' of its response and added: "I am sure they feel embarassed and should feel ashamed by the appalling service they have provided during the investigation."