Nicola Bulley considered ‘high-risk missing person’ due to ‘specific vulnerabilities’

Missing mum Nicola Bulley was considered a ‘high risk missing person’ due to ‘specific vulnerabilities’, Lancashire detectives have said.

In a huge search operation to find the mum-of-two who was reported missing almost three weeks ago, on January 27th, Lancashire Police held the unusual press conference not to offer any major update, but to clear up wide-spread rumours and gossip circulating on social media.

Speaking at a news briefing that was due to take place at around 11.30am Rebecca Smith, Lancashire Police Detective Superintendent and lead investigator, said that the 45-year-old was considered to be ‘high-risk’ with ‘specific vulnerabilities’. 

She added that this ‘is normal for a missing person with the information we were in possession of’, and that they were made aware of these vulnerabilities after speaking to Nicola’s partner, Paul Ansell.

When asked what those specific vulnerabilities were, Detective Superintendent Smith declined to say but police assured that because of the risk and vulnerabilities ‘land and water was searched immediately’.

Peter Lawson, Lancashire Police Assistant Chief Constable, said that this is ‘personal and private information’ and that because of the ‘privacy of Nicola’s family’ they ‘can’t say anything more about that’.

While officers are working tirelessly to help the family locate their loved one, they made it clear that rumours and accusations being spread online were a ‘hindrance’ and a ‘distraction’ for busy detectives. Detective Superintendent Smith stressed that she had not come across this kind of speculation on social media during her career and that it was hard on Nicola’s family.

She continued to say that ‘likelihood’ is that Nicola has unfortunately gone in the river’ but that it is still ‘a live investigation’ and police are thankful for all of the information submitted from members of the public to help them find her.

As officers continue to look through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, Detective Superintendent Smith added that it has been a ‘thorough meticulous investigation, but that ‘not one piece of information suggested that Nicola had left the field’.

“I hope with all my heart that we find Nicola Bulley alive more than anything, ”she said.

Nicola disappeared while walking her springer spaniel, Willow, along the river in the village of St Michael’s on Wyre after she dropped off her two daughters – aged six and nine – at school, on January 27th.

The force said her disappearance is not being treated as suspicious. Her body has still not been found and detectives extended the search for her to the sea on February 3rd, saying finding her there ‘becomes more of a possibility’.