LIVE: Police seal off roads near to where Nicola Bulley went missing – latest updates
Police have cordoned off all roads near the river where Nicola Bulley went missing.
A photographer at the scene near the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre told the Mirror: “It all happened so quickly. Police have closed all roads.” Lancashire Police have been asked for comment.
This comes three weeks after the mother-of-two went missing while out walking her springer spaniel, Willow, in the village of St Michael’s on Wyre on January 27. She was last seen at 9.10am taking her usual route along the river with Willow, having previously been taking her two daughters to school.
CONTINUE READING: Nicola Bulley, last as minister, says there are “serious questions” about the police decision amid hacking of partner’s social media
Her phone, still connected to a work call for her job as a mortgage advisor, was found just over 20 minutes later on a bench overlooking the riverbank while her dog was roaming free. The search for her has since expanded to the sea, but she has not been found.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Lancashire Police announced that Ms Bulley had been classified as a “high risk” missing person immediately after her partner reported her disappearance “due to a number of specific vulnerabilities”. They later added in a statement that she had struggled with drinking problems and menopause and had stopped taking HRT drugs.
Police were later heavily criticized for divulging the details, with Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt calling the disclosure of private information “shocking”. Meanwhile, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was evaluating information to determine whether an investigation into officers’ contacts with Ms Bulley on Jan. 10 was needed.
The transfer came after her family called for an end to “speculation and rumors” about her personal life.
Follow our live blog below for the latest developments as we get them.
Read more about today’s top stories here
14:23Ashlie Blakey
James is live at the crime scene at St Michael’s in Wyre
14:16key event
James is on the scene now
14:12Ashlie Blakey
Images of police drones and helicopters
14:05Ashlie Blakey
Pictures of divers on site
14:02key event
Police block Rawcliffe Road, which runs alongside the River Wyre
13:51Ashlie Blakey
Two air ambulances flew overhead
Our reporter James has just spotted two air ambulances flying overhead.
They have been sighted over the M6 towards St Michael’s on Wyre.
1:45 p.mAshlie Blakey
Statement from Nicolas family issued on Thursday
On Thursday, Nicola’s family made this statement through Lancashire Police:
“It’s been 3 weeks now since Nikki disappeared. We as a family believe that the public focus has been diverted from the search for Nikki and more to speculation and rumors into her private life.
“As a family we were aware that Lancashire Police released a statement last night containing some personal details. “Even though we know Nikki wouldn’t have wanted this, there are people out there who are threatening to sell stories about her. This is terrifying and needs to stop.
“The police know the truth about Nikki and now the public needs to focus on finding her.” Due to perimenopause, Nikki suffered from significant side effects such as brain fog, restless sleep, and took HRT to help, but it gave her a lot of headaches .
“The headache caused Nikki to stop taking HRT as she thought it might have helped her but ended up just causing this crisis. The public focus needs to be on finding her and not inventing wild theories about her personal life.
“Despite what some media outlets are suggesting, we are being updated daily and have support from our family liaison officers. “Nikki is such a wonderful daughter, sister, partner and mother and is sorely missed – we all need you in our lives.
“Nikki, we hope you’re reading this and knowing that we love you so much and your girls want a cuddle. We all need you at home. You can reach out to us or contact https://orlo.uk/tZ3Xo Have no fear we all love you so much.”
13:33key event
Divers have arrived on site
According to the MirrorDivers have since arrived at the scene.
According to reports, the police received a tip from two walkers.
1:30 p.mAshlie Blakey
Pictures from the scene this afternoon
13:19Ashlie Blakey
Police drones and helicopters are said to be in action
Police drones are reportedly nearby.
The police helicopter is also reportedly circling overhead.
13:14Ashlie Blakey
Reporter on the way to the crime scene
We have a reporter on his way to the crime scene in St Michael’s on Wyre.
We will post the latest developments on this live blog as soon as we get them.
13:06Ashlie Blakey
Blackpool Lane is reportedly closed
13:05Ashlie Blakey
What happened on the three week anniversary of Nicolas disappearance
February 17 marked the three-week anniversary of Nicolas’ disappearance.
The police’s decision to release details of her private life has been repeatedly criticized.
Information Commissioner John Edwards said in a statement he would be speaking to Lancashire Police about why they decided to disclose information about their alcohol and HRT problems.
Former victims’ officer Dame Vera Baird said police made a “sexist” mistake by revealing her struggles with alcohol and menopause.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said it was “a rare thing” for his force to disclose such details, but added that he didn’t have “all the facts at hand”.
Wyre Council leader Michael Vincent revealed people in the village where she disappeared have employed an outside security firm and are “scared in their own homes” over interest in the case.
He also said there were “lessons to be learned” for Lancashire Police but added they had done their best “under difficult circumstances”.
13:01Ashlie Blakey
Nicola Bulley at the latest
The disclosure of private information about Nicola Bulley is “shocking”, according to Commons leader Penny Mordaunt. Her comments came after reports that heartless trolls have hacked into social media accounts owned by the missing mother’s partner, Paul Ansell.
Hackers gained access to the engineer’s Pinterest account and published sexually explicit photos of women, the Mirror reports. Several images appeared on Saturday, including topless models in lingerie and images of an actress in a bikini.
For the latest updates on the missing Nicola Bulley earlier this morning, click here.
12:58 p.mAshlie Blakey
“Everything happened so fast”
A photographer at the scene told the mirror:
“Everything happened so fast. The police have blocked all roads. It’s fair to say that a massive search is underway.
“There are also police drones and police cars everywhere.”