Police have referred themselves to the force watchdog over a visit officers made to missing mum Nicola Bulley's home just 17 days before her disappearance.
Nicola vanished while walking her dog Willow along the River Wyre on January 27, shortly after dropping off her two children at school. A huge search operation was launched by police, with specialist diving teams and search dogs brought in to help find the 45-year-old.
However, it has since been revealed that the force had been in contact the mum-of-two just 17 days prior to her disappearance. Officials confirmed that Nicola had been battling substance issues due to "ongoing struggles with the menopause", with officers making a welfare visit to the family home in Inskip, Lancashire, on January 10.
