‘That wasn’t a news update, it was a police PR exercise’
Police have been criticised following their latest press conference surrounding the disappearance of Nicola Bulley.
On Wednesday morning, Lancashire Police announced they would be holding a news conference about the disappearance of the mother-of two.
The press conference was the first time that the public and press heard from Rebecca Smith, the detective superintendent leading the enquiry.
She was joined by Peter Lawson, the assistant chief constable (ACC) from Lancashire Police.
During the press conference, both Lawson and Smith reaffirmed that there is “not a single piece of information or evidence to suggest that there is any third party involvement” in Bulley’s disappearance.
Lawson told reporters that police are still extensively searching the River Wyre and surrounding area downstream and out in to the sea.
This was followed by Smith giving reporters a comprehensive run through of the incidents that led to Bulley being reported missing, as well as a timeline of the events and a number of other topics of interest.
Smith revealed that police had identified Nicola as “high risk” due to “specific vulnerabilities,” but stressed that this was normal in a missing persons case.
BREAKING: Lancashire Police confirm #NicolaBulley had ‘specific vulnerabilities’ and police identified her as ‘high risk’. @SkyNews
— Inzamam Rashid (@inzyrashid) February 15, 2023
Police declined to give further information on these vulnerabilities out of respect for the privacy of Nicola’s family.
Smith also criticised the press and public for “misconstruing” her statement that her “main hypothesis” was that Nicola had fallen in the river.
Police say early in missing Nicola Bulley investigation their main hypothesis was she could have gone into the river but “this has been misconstrued in the press” https://t.co/dOW7o9znKj pic.twitter.com/KpD1qqWOdW
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) February 15, 2023
But some viewers were left angry at the information provided during the press conference, arguing that police had provided no update on the case.
One person labelled it a “police PR exercise,” with another saying the conference was “basically the Lancashire police throwing their dummy out the pram.”
https://twitter.com/not_b_Rian/status/1625827298141257728?s=20&t=Xm1tj8eP_-Mp03IKRL6D_g
https://twitter.com/Amelia_mcJ/status/1625830012615114753
Others didn’t like the tone of police during the conference, saying that they were speaking “as though they’re telling off naughty children,” adding that this would “not go down well.”
Lancashire Police very defensive and speaking as though they’re telling off naughty children.
Pretty odd. Not going to go down well. #NicolaBulley— Rebecca (@RebeccaW2019) February 15, 2023
Not sure who this policewoman thinks she’s speaking to, but she’s doing Lancashire Police no favours. Absolutely dreadful tone and attitude.
Coming across as though she cares about her own reputation more than anything else #NicolaBulley— Berry (@Mucca85) February 15, 2023
Nicola Bulley update… there is no update
— Steve B (@Steve_Bee21) February 15, 2023
It's just a list of failures that you are trying to justify. Move over, let somebody competent take over.
— Tim Barclay-Grabbe MP (@timbarclay_grab) February 15, 2023
Whilst thanking the public for their “incredible support” during the case, police urged people not to speculate on the case, and addressed a number of rumours that had circulated around the case.
In regards to the work call Nicola was on at the time of her disappearance, Smith stressed it was normal for her to have had her microphone or video turned on, because it was more of an informative meeting.
Smith also said it was “really normal” for Nicola’s dog Willow not to have her harness on.
She told reporters: “A number of inconsistencies have been raised in relation to Nicola’s dog, it was really normal for Willow to not have her harness on.
“It would been taken off when they entered the field and only put back on when they were ready to leave the field.”
Addressing a glove recovered at the scene, Smith hit out at “TikTokers playing their own private detectives,” saying that the glove was not relevant to the case.
Smith also criticised false information and rumours that have been spread, referencing the derelict house near the river, which she said had been searched three times.
She also referred to a red van that has been reported by witnesses, and says efforts to track it down are ongoing, but that she does not believe it to be suspicious.
Smith added that the “speculation and rumour” surrounding the case had been affecting Nicola’s family, who are being “kept regularly updated” with the investigation’s progress.
She assured the public that the case has been “thoroughly investigated, no differently than any other major investigation, from the outset”.
You can watch the press conference in full below:
Watch live: Lancashire police deliver a news conference about the disappearance of Nicola Bulley https://t.co/yCrZglG1su https://t.co/sAd4OfnSkq
— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 15, 2023
Related links:
- Diving expert who led river search for Nicola Bulley vows to find her in the woods
- Police search caravan site yards from bench where Nicola Bulley’s phone found
- Nicola Bulley search expert hunts for burial sites as cops make ‘worst mistake’
