Vancouver police are investigating after the body of a woman was found early Monday morning near the steps of city hall.

They were called by a person who had been walking through the grounds at about 9:30 a.m. PST and spotted the body in a bushy area by stairs on the west side of city hall's annex.

Officers from the major crime unit marked off the stairs with yellow police tape and were searching a small park for clues, taking notes and pictures.

Police investigate area near Vancouver City Hall Monday, Jan. 30, 2006.

They were also taking down licence-plate numbers of nearby parked cars.

A police spokesman, Const. Tim Fanning, said investigators don't have any information about the identity of the woman.

He said she could have been there for some time.

Police spokesperson Tim Fanning briefing the press, Monday, Jan. 30, 2006.

"I can tell you at this point [that] it appears to be suspicious, that it is a woman. But as far as race, age, any other information, we don't have that at this point."

Fanning appealed to the public for help, asking for calls from anyone who had noticed anything suspicious in the area in the past few days.

City officials issued a statement saying they had no reason to believe the victim worked at city hall.

They said the area, which includes a small park, could remain closed for days.