Lancashire Police had released private information about the missing mum
The police force which investigated Nicola Bulley’s disappearance will not face action for sharing her personal information.
The mum-of-two’s body was found in February this year, more than three weeks after she had gone missing from St Michael’s on Wyre.
Her disappearance prompted a huge search operation, with her body eventually being found in the River Wyre.
But during Lancashire Police’s investigation into her disappearance, the force came under fire for deciding to make the 45-year-old’s status as a ‘high risk’ missing person public knowledge at a press conference.
Police said she had a “number of specific vulnerabilities” which they said they would not make public, but later revealed that Nicola had struggles with alcohol and perimenopause.
This prompted some MPs, including home secretary Suella Braverman, and campaign groups to voice their disapproval around the police’s decision to reveal this information.
Three separate bodies reviewed Lancashire Police’s handling of the case. But the force has now confirmed it will face no action.
The Independent Commissioner’s Office launched an investigation into the force just days after they revealed Bulley’s private information, but have concluded no enforcement action needs to be taken.
Meanwhile, a separate investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into a Lancashire Police officer’s contact with Bulley prior to her disappearance found no misconduct but has advised the officer on body-worn camera guidelines, the force said.
ICO deputy commissioner of regulatory policy Emily Keaney said the watchdog looked into why the force made Bulley’s private information public.
She said: “This was an important piece of work around a high-profile case.
“We wanted to reassure the public that there are rules in place to protect how personal information is used and shared, and we wanted to be clear that while police can disclose information to protect the public and investigate crime, they would need to be able to demonstrate such disclosure was necessary and proportionate.”
The county’s police and crime commissioner said that an independent review by the College of Policing commenced on Tuesday.
This review will have three areas of focus – the operational response to the high-risk missing person investigation, press engagement and decision-making surrounding disclosure of sensitive personal information.
The findings and any recommendations will be made public in the autumn.
Bulley’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed and an investigation into her death still underway.
An inquest into her death is to be heard on Monday, June 26 at County Hall in Preston.
Last month, Lancashire Police released a statement explaining why specialist divers had returned to the river where Bulley’s body was found.
Related links:
Forensic pathologist reveals divers are searching for one specific thing in Nicola Bulley case
Nicola Bulley update after police divers return to river where she was found
Specialist who failed to find Nicola Bulley removed from NCA expert list
