A coroner is set to write to the owners of the Accrington Arndale Centre following the death of a woman who plunged from the roof of its car park.

Michael Singleton said it was the ‘third or fourth similar incident’ since 2009 .

He said it was highly likely that he would submit a report under rules which give him power to contact an organisation if he believes that action should be taken to prevent further deaths.

Mr Singleton was speaking at the opening of an inquest into the death of 21-year-old Muniza Mehrban, of Royds Avenue, Accrington, whose body was found shortly after 2pm on Thursday, June 13.

Police and ambulances were called to the scene where Miss Mehrban was pronounced dead.

Police are not treating the death as suspicious.

Mr Singleton told the hearing at Blackburn Coroners Court how this was the ‘third or fourth’ such death in recent years and would contact the shopping centre owners. Mr Singleton told the inquest: “I will want to know who is responsible for the management because it’s highly likely at the conclusion of the inquest I will be sending a Rule 43 report.”

An officer told the hearing that emergency services were alerted to a report that a person had jumped off the multi-storey car park at the shopping centre.

A mobile phone was found by police officers on the Arndale Centre car park.

Mr Singleton said he would be requesting statements from family and  witnesses detailing the circumstances leading up to her death along with any telephone conversations.

He also told the inquest would look at the log of calls and texts sent and received by Miss Mehrban.

Three other people have plunged to their deaths from the roof of the car park since 2009 with the latest happening in December last year.

After the hearing, Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson said discussions have taken place with Arndale Centre bosses over the issue.

He said: “The responsibility is with the Arndale Centre.

“The deputy council leader has met with the owners again and they have stated they will address the concerns.

“We are waiting for a health and safety report before we can see if other things can be put in place and we wait to see what they will do.

“The main thing is making sure public and private buildings are secure in a way to try and put off this kind of action.

“Nothing can be 100 per cent protected but I’m sure they will look at the issues which are raised.”

Zain Kiyani, Arndale Centre manager, said they will cooperate fully with any investigation.

He said: “The owners and managing agents are extremely saddened by the tragic event at the Accrington Arndale Centre and are cooperating fully with the authorities in their investigations.

“We are unable to comment any further until such time as the investigations are completed.”

A post mortem was carried out, however the cause of death has been withheld pending toxicology results.

The inquest has been adjourned until Wednesday, August 21.