Disappearance of Nicola Bulley

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Read the full story [here](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fan-running-london-paris-26241871). Read the full story [here](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/mum-limbo-after-national-lottery-26237527). Feel free to share your memories of the hotel or others located in Liverpool city centre [here.](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/nostalgia/former-liverpool-four-star-hotel-26236381) You can read Charlotte's full story [here](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/nicola-bulley-visited-quiet-village-26250010). [Tom Cavilla](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/authors/tom-cavilla/) spoke to lifelong Liverpool fan Matthew Gaut. [Aaliyah Rugg](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/authors/aaliyah-rugg/) spoke to a mum claiming to be "out of pocket" following a National Lottery win. [here](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/man-knew-girlfriend-the-one-26244955). Congratulations Gino and Annsu! He captured the moment that Gino got down on one knee and asked a very important question. We're pleased to share that Annsu said yes. [resignation of Nicola Sturgeon](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/nicola-sturgeon-expected-resign-scotlands-26243084) and the [latest update](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/police-say-nicola-bulley-suffered-26249545) in the case of missing [Nicola Bulley](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/nicola-bulley). Home to around 600 people, the quiet village has become a hive of activity in the weeks since Nicola's disappearance.

Lancashire Police held a press conference yesterday and revealed Nicola was classed as a 'high-risk' missing person.

Police said a glove found in the area does not belong to Nicola. A statement on the Lancashire Police website said: "We have described how Nicola had some vulnerabilities at the time she went missing and we just wanted to expand on that a little. However, Ms Smith said it has been searched three times, with the permission of the owner, and Nicola was not there. But she said all the evidence suggested that Nicola went down to the river and did not return. Reports from witnesses described seeing a red van they considered to be suspicious in the area around the time Nicola went missing. They said they are being 'inundated with false information, accusations and rumours' about the case which is 'distracting' them. She had 'ongoing struggles' with the menopause and was classed by police as a 'high-risk' missing person immediately after Paul reported her disappearance. On February 4, the force announced it wanted to trace a 'key witness' who was seen pushing a pram in the area. Underwater search expert Peter Faulding, who was helping to find her, said he did not think the missing mother was in the water. On January 31, Lancashire Constabulary spoke with a potential witness, a man who had been walking a small white fluffy dog near the River Wyre at the time of Nicola's disappearance. She then took Willow for a walk along the path by the River Wyre at 8.43am, heading towards a gate in the lower field and was later seen by dog walker who knew her. Police have searched the surrounding areas, including a number of buildings, and boats have been spotted trawling the coast off Morecambe Bay.

This caused some real challenges for Paul and the family. Assistant Chief ...

[Lancashire Constabulary](https://www.lancs.live/all-about/lancashire-constabulary) to comment on the criticism directed its way. Since she vanished, huge public and media interest has resulted in what police described as “false information, accusations and rumours” and an “unprecedented” search of both the River Wyre, downstream to Nicola vanished after dropping off her daughters, aged six and nine, at school on January 27 in St Michael’s on [Wyre](https://www.lancs.live/all-about/wyre). Underwater search expert Peter Faulding, who was helping to find her, said his team was not passed the information from police, which he says would “have changed search strategy”. [Sky](https://www.lancs.live/all-about/sky) News this morning: "It's really unusual and I do have a lot of questions and concerns about that. Later in the interview, Mr Underhill said: "I've got to say Lancashire Police were very critical yesterday of all of the TikTokers and armchair sleuths who were basically taking up all their time. This caused some real challenges for Paul and the family. He also claimed that police have "completely destroyed" the mum-of-two's reputation by revealing her struggles with alcohol. Senior officers said yesterday that the 45-year-old, from Inskip, was "vulnerable" and classed by police as a "high-risk" missing person immediately after her partner Paul Ansell reported her disappearance. [Nicola Bulley dive expert says search would've changed if told of health issues](https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/nicola-bulley-dive-specialist-peter-26251124) [Nicola Bulley search expert's u-turn after police share 'crucial information'](https://www.lancs.live/nicola-bulley-search-experts-u-26250853) [Police responded to concern for welfare call at Nicola Bulley's house two weeks before she went missing](https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/police-responded-concern-welfare-call-26249554) [Nicola Bulley police statement on red van and glove found in disappearance area](https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/nicola-bulley-police-statement-red-26245525) [TikTok star Dan Duffy arrested after travelling to film in village Nicola Bulley was last seen](https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/tiktok-nicola-bulley-arrest-police-26241653) When asked by Kay Burley if Ms Cooper would approach Lancashire police she replied: "I will". I am very critical of Lancashire Police.

The force's decision to reveal Nicola Bulley's struggle with the menopause is branded "disturbing".

[Conservative MP Alicia Kearns said on Twitter](https://twitter.com/aliciakearns/status/1625934789856436225) that she was "deeply uncomfortable with the police releasing Nicola Bulley's so-called 'vulnerabilities' on menopause and alcohol" and was struggling to "ascertain how this will assist police in their search and investigations". [Labour's Stella Creasy tweeted](https://twitter.com/stellacreasy/status/1625919564797050885) that the level of detail was "deeply troubling" and the force needed to be "much clearer as to why any of this helps find Nicola Bulley". It said it had been "clear from speaking to Paul and the family that Nicola had in the past suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause and that these struggles had resurfaced over recent months". [told the press conference on Wednesday](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-64646582) that Ms Bulley had been categorised as high-risk as soon as she was reported missing "following the information that was provided to the police by her partner and based on a number of specific vulnerabilities that we were made aware of". [Silkie Carlo, a director of privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, said](https://twitter.com/silkiecarlo/status/1625954345161302016) the "ramifications of this invasion of medical privacy could be really serious", while [former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal said](https://twitter.com/nazirafzal/status/1625986277320413184) the statement should not have been issued, as it did nothing to help find Ms Bulley, and added that the release would "give fuel to the victim blamers, armchair sleuths and conspiracy theorists". [a press conference on Wednesday](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-64646582), in which the officer leading the investigation into Ms Bulley's disappearance revealed she had "a number of specific vulnerabilities", the force said she had "suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause [which had] resurfaced over recent months". The force later issued an update, stating that it "just wanted to expand on that a little". She said Lancashire's chief constable or police and crime commissioner should "give the public some reassurance that the force is managing this whole issue in the right way". "People are asking rightly how does the reproductive status of a woman who has gone missing relate to the bid to find her and would that same information be put in the public domain if she were a man." [told Sky News](https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1626133064156954626) the release of such details was "very unusual", adding: "I do have a lot of questions and concerns about that. ["ongoing struggles with the menopause"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-64656669). On Wednesday, Lancashire Police said the 45-year-old had suffered with "some significant issues with alcohol" and

Police are appparently no closer to finding mother-of-two nearly three weeks after she vanished while walking her dog.

On Friday it will have been exactly three weeks since Ms Bulley apparently vanished after dropping off her children at school. But it did not elaborate on what happened during the visit. “A glove has been recovered that is not believed to be relevant to the investigation, it is not Nicola’s but we have got that in our possession.” Ms Smith said: “I myself don’t find it suspicious that fisherman would be in the area of a river that morning or carrying fishing rods.” The detective said: “The area at the top of the field, Rowanwater, has CCTV that covers the gate that enters the field and the front of the site. In a statement, the force said it had been called out to the family’s home in early January due to a “concern for welfare” report.

True Crime Newsquest will release a special podcast about the disappearance of missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley.

He added: “And also, it would’ve stopped so much criticism of the police and speculation if the police had released that information right from day one.” The police are considering three hypotheses the main one being that Ms Bulley fell into the River Wyre which runs along the route she was taking when walking her dog, Willow on the morning she went missing. He will give listeners an update on the case and the “very difficult situation” that Nicola Bulley’s family finds themselves in. Former detective and star of Netflix's The Investigator, Mark Williams-Thomas, will be speaking on the podcast live from St Michaels on Wyre, the village where Nicola Bulley was last seen. These vulnerabilities were talked about in the press conference by police yesterday and we were later told by the force that the vulnerabilities relate to her past [Ms Bulley](https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23309547.nicola-bulley-police-believe-could-have-left-area/) was dealing with [“vulnerabilities”](https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23323453.nicola-bulley-case-made-high-risk-immediately-say-police/) when she went missing.

A Leicestershire MP has criticised the revelation by Lancashire Police of Nicola Bulley's alcohol problems. Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Melton, ...

We have explained to Nicola’s family why we have released this further information, and we would ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.” Nicola vanished after dropping off her daughters, aged six and nine, at school on Friday, January 27, in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire. This caused some real challenges for Paul and the family. Lancashire Police has defended its decision, which it made after earlier telling the public that Nicola had been vulnerable, but not saying why. Police revealed yesterday (Wednesday, February 15) that the mum of two was classed as “vulnerable”. “Sadly, it is clear from speaking to Paul and the family that Nicola had, in the past, suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause, and that these struggles had resurfaced over recent months. Since she vanished, huge public and media interest has resulted in what police described as “false information, accusations and rumours” and an “unprecedented” search of both the River Wyre, downstream to Morecambe Bay and miles of neighbouring farmland. [School of teen who was rescued from Thailand cave in 2018 'united in grief' following his death](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/school-teen-who-rescued-thailand-8151865) [Men and kids arrested after football match descends into violence](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/men-kids-arrested-after-football-8151238) [Inquest held for former city councillor who helped get drug dealers and criminals off her estate](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/inquest-held-former-city-councillor-8152238) [New One Stop shop is about to open in former Leicester supermarket and freebies will be available](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/new-one-stop-shop-open-8152417) [Police seek man seen on CCTV after 3am attack in Market Street in Leicester city centre](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/police-seek-man-seen-cctv-8153932) The force said: “We have described how Nicola had some vulnerabilities at the time she went missing and we just wanted to expand on that a little. [MP for Rutland and Melton](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/all-about/rutland), said she was “deeply uncomfortable” about the decision to reveal [the missing 45-year-old’s](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/all-about/nicola-bulley) personal struggles. She had suffered with “significant issues with alcohol” which were brought on by “her ongoing struggles with the menopause”, the force said. “I am deeply uncomfortable with the police releasing Nicola Bulley's so-called 'vulnerabilities' on menopause and alcohol,” she wrote.

On Wednesday evening, a statement on the Lancashire Police website said: “We have described how Nicola had some vulnerabilities at the time she went missing and ...

Lancashire Police are to hold a press conference and offer updates on the investigation into Nicola Bulley's disappearance. Lancashire Police said it received reports over the weekend of messages being sent to Wyre Council members. It is reported that, on February 7, two walkers found a blue glove in the field where Nicola went missing. Mr Faulding had previously questioned the theory that she had fallen in the river. The public focus has to be on finding her and not making up wild theories about her personal life. The police know the truth about Nikki and now the public need to focus on finding her. This caused some real challenges for Paul and the family. However, he now concedes that Nicola "could have ended up in the sea" if she "had jumped in, intended to take her own life or walk off". She told Sky News: “I do have a lot of questions and concerns about that. It comes after police today revealed that Nicola was being treated as a "high risk" missing person and then explained why. In a statement released through Lancashire Police, Nicola Bulley’s family said: “It has now been three weeks since Nikki went missing. The force said her disappearance was not being treated as suspicious.

In a statement, the family said: "It has now been three weeks since Nikki went missing. We, as a family, believe that the public focus has become distracted ...

"As a family, we were aware beforehand that Lancashire Police, last night, released a statement with some personal details about our Nikki. This is appalling and needs to stop. A spokesperson for the IOPC said: "Following information that was made public by Lancashire Constabulary yesterday, we have made contact with the force to determine if a referral to the IOPC may be required." The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it had made contact with Lancashire Police to "determine if a referral to the IOPC may be required" after details about the mother's private life were disclosed in a press conference. [suffered with some "significant issues with alcohol"](https://news.sky.com/story/missing-nicola-bulley-had-significant-issues-with-alcohol-in-the-past-police-say-12811885) in the past, brought on by her "ongoing struggles with the menopause". In a statement issued by Lancashire Police, the family said the public focus "must be on finding her" and not "making up wild theories about her personal life".

The family of missing mother Nicola Bulley have hit out against “appalling speculation and rumours into her private life” that has distracted the police ...

The most important person in all of this is Nicola.” “Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know that we love you so much and your girls want a cuddle. Don’t be scared, we all love you so very much.” This is appalling and needs to stop. “The police know the truth about Nikki and now the public need to focus on finding her.” But they urged: “The public focus has to be on finding her and not making up wild theories about her personal life.”

Lancashire Police said that it had told the family before that it was going to release this information, however MPs and campaigners have condemned the move.

This is appalling and needs to stop.” Money from shares contributes directly to keep our paper thriving. This is the last article you can read this month

Police faced a backlash for revealing personal details of missing Nicola Bulley's struggles.

"The unprecedented media and public interest in this case, whilst welcomed for appeals for information, is challenging for the family and friends of Nicola and the officers and police staff dealing with unsubstantiated rumours and speculation on a daily basis." "This is a live investigation, we have to let the police get on with it and not add to the already considerable level of speculation surrounding the case." A Home Office spokesperson added: "The Home Secretary and Policing Minister are receiving regular updates from Lancashire Police on its handling of this case, including why personal details about Nicola was briefed out at this stage of the investigation." Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC: "I think there are concerns because the information they set out was very unusual, and I would want to know more from Lancashire Police about the reasons for doing this." "The public focus has to be on finding her and not making up wild theories about her personal life," they said. "The police know the truth about Nikki and now the public need to focus on finding her." She said there was a need to consider "what message this sends to women". They said she was taking hormone replacement therapy but it had given her "intense headaches" which caused her to stop the treatment "thinking that may have helped her, but only ended up causing this crisis". Lancashire Police had described Ms Bulley as "vulnerable" and said she was classed as a "high-risk" missing person immediately after her partner Paul Ansell reported her disappearance. The force said it was called to a "concern for welfare report" and health professionals also attended on 10 January. An IOPC spokesman said: "This afternoon we received a referral from Lancashire Constabulary regarding contact the force had with Nicola Bulley on 10 January, prior to her disappearance. The family of missing Nicola Bulley have said "appalling" speculation surrounding her private life "needs to stop".

The mum-of-two went missing after dropping her children off at school and logging into a Teams call while walking her springer spaniel, Willow, in the village ...

"No one has been arrested in relation to this incident, but it is being investigated. We described how Nicola had some vulnerabilities at the time she went missing and we just wanted to expand on that a little. "This caused some real challenges for Paul and the family. "Sadly, it is clear from speaking to Paul and the family that Nicola had in the past suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause and that these struggles had resurfaced over recent months. In a press conference on Wednesday, police did not specify what those vulnerabilities were. After speaking to Nicola's partner Paul and family, police said it is clear "Nicola had in the past suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause and that these struggles had resurfaced over recent months."

From very early on, Lancashire Police has said it was working on the hypothesis that Nicola may have fallen into the River Wyre. Superintendent Sally Riley said ...

It revealed personal details, including that Nicola had “significant issues with alcohol” linked to the menopause. It meant her disappearance required focused attention and significant police resources due to her “vulnerabilities”. This is appalling and needs to stop.” He added that Faulding is not included in “all the investigation detail”. Peter Faulding, leader of underwater search experts Specialist Group International (SGI), said if his team could not locate Nicola in the river then she is not there and he would not rule out “third party involvement” in her disappearance. Last week, a family friend, Heather Gibbons, spoke out about the speculation that was rife on social media. Questions have also being raised about gaps in CCTV coverage of the area where she vanished from. Detective superintendent Rebecca Smith, the lead investigator, told reporters activity by “TikTokers ... In 29 years’ police service I’ve never seen anything like it.” Speaking to 5 News presenter Dan Walker, Ansell said: “There has to be a way to find out what happened, there has to be. She dismissed “persistent myths” about the case, including the derelict house (which has been searched three times and “Nicola is not in there”), the red van (a red van reported in the area on the morning of Nicola’s disappearance is not being treated as suspicious), and a glove found near to where she disappeared (which does not belong to her). You cannot, you cannot walk your dog down a river and just vanish into thin air.

Lancashire Constabulary has referred itself to the police watchdog over prior contact they had with Nicola Bulley before the mum-of-two went missing.

[Police responded to concern for welfare call at Nicola Bulley's house two weeks before she went missing](https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/police-responded-concern-welfare-call-26249554) [Lancashire](https://www.lancs.live/all-about/lancashire) Police initially held a press conference, stating that the mum-of-two was "vulnerable" and deemed "high-risk" when she disappeared from St. Here, the police stated that Nicola had issues with alcohol “brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause," the PA News Agency reports. Andrew Snowden, the Conservative police and Stating they wanted to clarify what they meant, the force then issued a following statement disclosing what the "vulnerabilities" are. This came a day after the police were criticised by MPs, celebrities and members of the public for disclosing that the mortgage advisor had suffered "significant issues with alcohol" in the past, which have resurfaced over the past few months. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now assessing the information in order to determine whether an investigation is necessary.

Peter Faulding claims police did not tell his team Nicola Bulley was considered 'high risk' as soon as the missing persons case was launched.

Speaking to Jeremy Kyle on TalkTV Mr Faulding later on Wednesday, he explained: “If I had been given that information it wouldn’t have been given to the media. “No one has been arrested in relation to this incident, but it is being investigated. As a result of those issues, a response car staffed by both police and health professionals attended a report of concern for welfare at Nicola’s home address on January 10,” the statement continued. Taking to Twitter after learning of the news that Ms Bulley had struggled with alcohol problems, Mr Faulding said: “Update re Nicola Bulley. “We have explained to Nicola’s family why we have released this further information and we would ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.” “This is an awful case and I just wish it had been handled a lot better in the first place by giving certain information that would have helped us target that search in specific areas.”

Lancashire Police are still searching for Nicola Bulley after she went missing on January 27 in the village of St Michael's on Wyre - residents have had to ...

Mr Snowden said in a statement: “First and foremost, my thoughts remain with the family and friends of Nicola Bulley and I’m thankful for all the efforts of the officers, staff and partners who continue to work tirelessly on the search for Nicola. I, like everyone up and down the country, am deeply saddened by this case and want nothing more than for Nicola to be found safe and well and reunited with her family. "Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know that we love you so much and your girls want a cuddle. The family said: "It has now been three weeks since Nikki went missing. I’d like to thank all members of the public who have provided helpful information to Lancashire Police. Speaking on TalkTV last night, he said: "With regard to the whole release of this information... "But would you if it's going to be on the front page of The Sun the next day or a week later? This is appalling and needs to stop. When asked by Mr Ferrari whether the Met would have released such details about a missing Londoner, Sir Mark said: "It would be a rare thing to do. And Home Secretary Suella Braverman has also [demanded answers from the constabulary.](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/home-secretary-demands-answers-after-29238199) Dame Vera told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I'm afraid this is the biggest error that I have seen for quite a long time. “We recognise that at this stage of an intensive, live investigation, the force must focus all their energies on the enquiry.

Police are still searching for the mother-of-two, who vanished on January 27.

– February 17 – February 16 – February 15 – February 10 – February 8 – February 7 – February 6 – February 5 – February 4 – February 3 – February 2 – February 1

Police are still searching for the mother-of-two, who vanished on January 27.

– February 15 – February 12 – February 10 – February 9 – February 8 – February 7 – February 6 – February 5 – February 4 – February 3 – February 2 – February 1

Police are still searching for the mother-of-two, who vanished on January 27.

– February 15 – February 12 – February 10 – February 9 – February 8 – February 7 – February 6 – February 5 – February 4 – February 3 – February 2 – February 1

On Wednesday, senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith maintained that it was her main “working hypothesis” that Ms Bulley entered ...

In a statement released yesterday, the family stopped short of saying they had given their consent for the police to release the information: “We were aware that Lancashire Police, last night, released a statement with some personal details. The case had attracted an unprecedented number of conspiracy theorists, TikTokers and “oddballs”, he added. “That wasn’t the police’s decision – their hand was forced. “And certainly in other inquiries – I won’t go into details about other missing persons inquiries – police have not released information. “I think there needs to be a review after this incident of how police respond to speculation on social media. He also said there were “real elements of sexism” around some of the criticism directed at Ms Smith, who is leading the investigation into Ms Bulley’s disappearance. And then when the family were being threatened by people threatening to sell stories, they clearly consulted with the family, and made that decision.” The former victims’ commissioner today said the police’s disclosure of such information was “sexist as it comes”. On Wednesday, senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith maintained that it was her main “working hypothesis” that Ms Bulley entered the river, in part due to “specific vulnerabilities” identified by her family. Asked which force would be equipped to look at the case, Mr Underhill added: “To be honest, the key consideration is travel; you don’t want officers travelling 300 miles. When I was at Sussex, I went to Kent and London. Why wouldn’t you want you want someone to come in and say ‘you’ve done a good job’?