Lancashire Police give update on Nicola Bulley missing case

It’s now exactly two weeks since Nicola Bulley went missing and the Police search for the mum-of two is continuing.

Specialist resources including underwater search teams, drones, mounted and the police helicopter will be out today as we comb the River Wyre and down and out into the sea.

People may have seen less police activity in the last day or two than previously around the river above the weir at St Michael’s but that is not because we have stepped down our searches, it is because the focus of the search has moved further downstream into the area of the river which becomes tidal and then out towards the coast.

Throughout this investigation we have been keeping an open mind about what might have happened to Nicola, and we continue to look at all the potential scenarios to eliminate them. We are reviewing our decisions regularly.

Based on all the work we have done up to now our belief remains that Nicola may have fallen into the river for some reason, but we are continuing to investigate all possible leads, and this involves viewing CCTV, Dashcam footage and speaking to people who are providing us with information.

It remains the case that at the present time there is absolutely nothing in all the extensive enquiries we have made that suggests anything untoward has happened or that there is any third-party involvement in Nicola’s disappearance, but the investigation is ongoing.

We are aware of reports in the media about a red van being reported to us and we would like to stress that while this has been reported to us and we are making efforts to identify the owner at this time there is nothing to suggest this was anything other than one of many hundreds of vehicles in the area that morning. The inquiry team are working through hundreds of pieces of information and reports such as this in the media can distract them from genuine enquiries.

Our priority throughout this investigation has been on finding Nicola and providing answers for her family. They continue to be supported and regularly updated by specially trained officers.

Unfortunately, we continue to see groundless and hurtful abuse of innocent people, including witnesses and local businesses, which is totally unacceptable

We also continue to see a huge amount of commentary from so-called experts, ill-informed speculation and conspiracy theories which is damaging to the investigation, the community of St Michael’s and, worst of all, to Nicola’s family. It must stop.

We have consulted with the National Crime Agency which is offering continual advice and support, along with a number of national experts.

We will not tolerate any anti-social or criminal behaviour and we will not hesitate to use the powers at our disposal and to take action where appropriate. A Section 34 Dispersal Order which was in place for St Michael’s has been cancelled but will be put back in place if we see a repeat of the behaviour from earlier in the week.

We will have an increased presence in the village over the weekend and if anyone has information or concerns, they should feel free to come and speak to us.

Anyone with information or footage is asked to call 101, quoting log 565 of January 30. For any immediate sightings, please call 999.

You can also submit information through the Major Incident Public Portal (MiPP) at Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)

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