An investigation into a welfare check carried out by Lancashire Police before Nicola Bulley disappeared has been launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The watchdog has confirmed that it will investigate the visit police made to Nicola's home on January 10, days before she was last seen. The mum-of two went missing during a dog walk on January 27, and her body was pulled from the River Wyre just over three weeks later.
Last week, it emerged that the force had referred itself to the IOPC over contact officers had with the 45-year-old. The watchdog said it would assess the information to determine whether an investigation would be necessary, before today announcing that a probe is now "in its very early stages".
Confirming the investigation, a spokesman said: “Following a referral by Lancashire Constabulary on Thursday, we have started an independent investigation regarding contact the force had with Nicola Bulley on January 10 2023. We were notified by the force that an officer attended the family home on that date as part of a welfare check."
The statement added: “Our thoughts are with Ms Bulley’s family and friends, and all of those affected by her death. Our investigation is in its very early stages.”
Lancashire Police came under fire during the search for the missing mum after they disclosed that she suffered “some significant issues with alcohol” in the past, which had resurfaced over recent months. After the force revealed her issues with alcohol “brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause”, they were strongly condemned by MPs and campaign groups.
The news comes as the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Lancashire Police, Andrew Snowden, asked the College of Policing, the national standards setting body for policing, to carry out their own “full, independent review” into the handling of the case. The commissioner's office said the inquiry will be undertaken alongside independent scrutiny from the coroner, the IOPC and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
It added that the review will focus on three separate areas of the case - the investigation and search, communication and public engagement, and the releasing of personal information. Mr Snowden said: "This is a tragic case which has attracted unprecedented media and public interest. First and foremost, my thoughts remain with Nicola's family and friends – who have suffered an unimaginable loss, made harder through being in the public eye."
He continued: "I'd like to thank all the police officers and staff, volunteers and members of the public who contributed to the search. The police's working theory that Nicola sadly entered the river was correct, and I know how hard and tirelessly so many people worked to find her. Ultimately, this has always been about finding a missing mother, partner, sister, daughter and friend.
"The public understandably feel that there remain questions about the handling of elements of the police investigation, how it was communicated, and the decision to release personal information, which need to be answered and explained. In my role as Commissioner, as the public's voice in policing in Lancashire, I also need to put in place the appropriate scrutiny to seek the right assurances and to ensure I am effectively holding the Constabulary to account."
He added that he would "keep the public informed of the findings in due course".
Today, the opening of an inquest into her death heard that Nicola was identified by dental records. Preston Coroner’s Court was told maxillofacial surgeon Andrew Ian Edwards had examined her dental records, which had been obtained by police from her dental surgery.
Senior coroner Dr James Adeley said: “He examined the body that was located in the River Wyre near Rawcliffe Road in St Michael’s on Wyre at 2.15pm on February 20.” Dr Adeley said the surgeon found restorative work carried out was identical, adding: “I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities, and more, that positive identification has been made.”
Police recovered Nicola's body from the River Wyre, around a mile from where she was last seen walking her dog Willow, on Sunday, February 19, after it was spotted by a member of the public. Police confirmed the body was that of the missing mother around 24 hours later.
In a statement, the family paid tribute to Nicola, known to them as Nikki, saying they can let her “rest now”. Lancashire Police described the investigation into her disappearance as “hugely complex and highly emotional”.
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