Nicola Bulley: Lancashire Police slammed for missing 'golden hour' window to find mum

A police force at the centre of criticism over their handling of the search for missing mum Nicola Bulley has responded to a new report. A report into the investigation by Lancashire Police to find Nicola Bulley has warned officers they could have done more to protect evidence in the "golden hour" after she disappeared.

Nicola Bulley vanished on January 27 when she was out walking her dog along the river in St Michael's, Wyre, three miles from her home in Inskip. Her body was eventually discovered in the River Wyre more than three weeks later, on February 19.

During this period, officers and specialist divers scoured the waterway and the surrounding area. But a new report states officers could have done more to protect evidence in the "golden hour" after she disappeared.

The force has responded to the report published today (Tuesday, November 21) in a press conference.

Chief Constable, Andy Marsh, Chief Executive of the College of Policing who released the report, said that failure to declare the search for Nicola as a critical incident 'set the tone'.

As well as this, detectives desperately tried to reign in a "human mole" who went rogue against police guidance several times during the investigation.

Peter Faulding, who runs search company Specialist Group International, was requested to join the search by Nicola's family, but the report slams his media interviews which were conducted without consulting officers.

The report adds his interviews were "at odds" with the findings.

The force also claimed it had Mr Faulding sign a non-disclosure agreement before claiming he went rogue by picking up a spade to dig up an area of land he suspected was "recently disturbed".

Chief Constable Andy Marsh, who leads the College of Policing, said: “Throughout our work we have had Nicola’s family and friends in our thoughts.

“The purpose of the review was not to attribute blame but identify areas of learning for the constabulary and wider policing. The decision to not call the investigation a critical incident, despite it meeting the national definition, set the tone within the constabulary and led to several challenges.

“The most notable of these was the way the constabulary released personal information about Nicola which was avoidable and unnecessary. While we have not shied away from criticism, there are also many areas of Lancashire Constabulary’s response that should be commended, including an exemplary investigation and a well-conducted search.

“At the heart of the investigation was Nicola. I am left in no doubt that she and her family were foremost in the minds of officers and staff throughout the search.”

The College of Policing boss added that it was, while lawful, "both avoidable and unnecessary" to release information surrounding Nicola's health.

Details of Ms Bulley’s struggles with the menopause were disclosed by police after bungled handling of questions over whether any medical factors were at play.

The review found that Lancashire Police should have given non-reportable background briefings to accredited journalists to shape responsible reporting, without releasing personal information.

Lancashire Police response in full

The review was commissioned by Police and Crime Commissioner, Andrew Snowden, to provide an external perspective on the investigation and associated activity in the search for Nicola. The Constabulary welcomed the review as an opportunity to highlight any learning and best practice that could be applied locally and nationally and cooperated fully with the review team.

There are some areas of the operation that have received commendation and have been highlighted as exemplary, including the initial response, investigation, and search operation. The support to the Bulley family by the Family Liaison Officers is also highlighted as exceptional, and the Senior Investigating Officer led the investigation professionally and with noteworthy competence.

Reassurance to, and engagement with, the community of St Michael’s was also central to our response through our local neighbourhood policing team. There are also areas of learning that the Constabulary will be reviewing and looking to implement in the future or has already done so.

Deputy Chief Constable Sacha Hatchett, the lead Chief Officer for organisational learning, standards and conduct, now responsible for ensuring that any learning is considered and implemented.

In an official statement, DCC Hatchett said: “I thank the College for the time they have dedicated to this review and for the recommendations and best practices they have identified, and to PCC Snowden for his support in identifying the learning from this investigation. Whilst the review has been published today, it is important to remember that at the centre of all this is Nikki and her family. They have been our priority throughout and our thoughts remain with them as they continue to deal with the grief of losing the person they loved most dearly.

“We have some of the most experienced staff in policing who put others first and the report reflects their outstanding dedication and professionalism; their focus was on finding Nikki and bringing her home to her family. When Nikki went missing, all the evidence pointed to the fact that she had somehow fallen into the river. Whilst the media reporting and social media commentary pointed to other possibilities, the investigation remained focused but always open minded. The investigation team’s hypothesis was proven to be right when Nikki was found.

“This was an incredibly tragic case that attracted a huge media and social media interest, placing our policing response and the Bulley family in the spotlight. That media demand was at times overwhelming, and with the benefit of hindsight, there are undoubtedly things we would do differently in the future.

"Indeed, we have already started to do so. There is no doubt that the impact of social media, as experienced in this case, is an area of concern for policing generally which requires more focus in the future.

"It had a detrimental effect on the family, the investigation, and our staff along with influencing wider media reporting. This impact also extended to many residents in the village of St Michaels, many who were targeted and had their businesses affected. Any police force could face what we did, and we must draw on the learning nationally.”

The release of personal information has been highlighted as a key area of learning by the College. Commenting on this specifically, DCC Hatchett said: “It is absolutely right that this has been subject to such a high level of scrutiny. We worked proactively with the Information Commissioner’s Office immediately after the disclosure was made and they concluded that no action was required against the force.

“The release of the information was lawful, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t recognise the impact that this had. It is incumbent on me to stress that the decision making process was thorough, considered and based on the substantial risk posed at that time in the investigation. We did not, and would never, make this decision lightly.

“We accept the points raised in the review and the considerations about whether a non-reportable press briefing could have impacted on how the mainstream media reported on the case. We were balancing our obligation to the family, maintaining their desire to keep this information private, and whilst a briefing may have had some impact on the mainstream media, it would have done little to deter social media speculation and comment.”

The media handling of the investigation has also attracted significant commentary in the independent report, and it is this area in particular which has generated not only local learning but also national recommendations.

DCC Hatchett said: “The speed that this case was picked up in the media and on social media, and how quickly it became national and international focus, meant that incredible pressure and demand was put on our press team and the wider department. The report very rightly highlights the significant expertise, commitment, and work ethic of this team and whilst there are points of learning, it’s important to recognise that many police forces would have been overwhelmed by this.

"They were a small team and they worked tirelessly throughout in support of the investigation. With the benefit of hindsight, we should have considered mutual aid more thoroughly at the time.”