Diver in Nicola Bulley search caused ‘false alarm’ to family, report says

Peter Faulding (right) and workers from his underwater search and recovery company assist in the search for Nicola Bulley in February. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA

A professional diver “caused unwarranted distress and false alarm” to the family of Nicola Bulley and diverted resources away from the search for her, police told a review into the handling of their investigation into her disappearance.

Peter Faulding made several statements to the media that were later found to be “at odds” with what had happened to Bulley, causing confusion among the public, according to an independent investigation into the actions of Lancashire police during the search for woman who disappeared in January.