A man who went to search for missing Nicola Bulley before being issued a dispersal order said he "wanted to help".
Mortgage advisor Nicola Bulley went missing on January 27 after walking her dog in St Michaels on Wyre. The mum-of-two dropped her children off at school before walking along the river, she has not been seen since.
On Wednesday evening, Lancashire Police issued a dispersal order after several men reportedly travelled from Liverpool to search for Nicola. But Danny, who wished for his surname to not be shared, said he wanted to assist in the search.
READ MORE: Mum's 'instinct' told her 'something wasn't right' with newborn baby
He told the ECHO: "It's gathered a lot of attention and I realised I'm not too far so thought I'd go and assist with the search because it's what nice people do, we want to help get answers and lend a helping hand and see what information we could uncover."
With three others, the group searched the local area and undergrowth for something that may have been missed. Danny said: "We haven't trespassed, we've not been on anyone's property."
Danny told the ECHO they unexpectedly found themselves on private property during their search but left when "politely asked", until police issued a dispersal order. He said: "We aren't doing anything against the law, we aren't trespassing. It feels like the police are stopping the people who really want to help."
Emergency services have been searching for Nicola ever since, as February 10 marks two weeks since the mum vanished. The 45-year-old's phone, still connected to a work phone, was found on a nearby bench with the dog lead and harness nearby.
The ECHO previously reported that Nicola's friends said members of the public were making people who live in the area 'feel unsafe'. Heather Gibbons took to Facebook after rescuers directed some of their efforts to what was said to be an "abandoned house" nearby.
She also said the home has already been thoroughly searched. She added: "Police units are out in St Michaels dealing with people trespassing, not only on this family's land but also others. We are at the point where people coming to 'help' look for Nikki in this way is actually doing the complete opposite."
Issuing the dispersal order, Lancashire Police previously said: "We can confirm a dispersal order was issued around 8.40pm yesterday (Wednesday February 8) in St Michael’s on Wyre.
"This followed reports of individuals, from outside the area of St Michael’s, filming on social media close to properties. The order will remain in place for 48 hours and gives officers the power to disperse anyone committing anti-social behaviour.
"Two dispersal notices were issued, and a number of other people were warned about their behaviour." The force added that it would "not tolerate criminality, including trespass and criminal damage".
However, Danny said the group did not trespass or cause criminal damage. He said: "A lot of the area we were searching was public land. There were no real boundaries."
Recording their search on social media this week, Danny added: "I decided to stream for a couple of reasons, one, for any evidence we could potentially come across and two so people can stay informed of the case on a immediate basis. Also for evidence that no wrongdoing has occurred in terms of claims of breaking in, criminal damage etc."
Danny said: "We all as a nation want to find out what's gone on. From day one if the police had suspicions of certain areas, there should've been crime scenes to stop people but they aren't. No-one is being stopped."
Despite being issued a dispersal order, Danny said he wants to continue to help in the search, but urged others to stay away and "don't go there themselves". He went on to say: "I wouldn't condone anyone doing what I'm doing."
Police officers said they are working on the theory that the 45-year-old , who has been described by friends as a strong swimmer, fell into the river, but that line of investigation has been questioned by friends and family.
Nicola is white, 5ft 3ins tall, with light brown shoulder-length hair. She speaks with an Essex accent. She was last seen wearing a long, knee length black quilted gilet with a hood.
She had a black Engelbert Strauss coat underneath which had long sleeves and came to her waist. She was wearing tight black jeans and had long green walking socks tucked into her jeans.
She was wearing size five ankle length green wellington boots from Next. Her hair was tied into a ponytail. She was wearing a pale blue Fitbit.
Anyone with information or footage is asked to call 101, quoting log 565 of January 30. For any immediate sightings, please call 999.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
Faces of eight men jailed for life after hunting down and murdering former boxer
Vigilantes bundled dad into boot of Audi and left mutilated body on road
Stalker advertised ex-girlfriend on swinging website after bedsheet proposal
Man fighting for life after attack by stranger dressed all in black
Haven launches four-night family stays from £49 on March 2023 hideaway breaks
