Nicola Bulley had "specific vulnerabilities" that make her "high risk", police revealed in a press conference about the missing mum.
Lancashire Police said they had been "inundated" following the mortgage advisor’s disappearance on the morning of January 27.
The 45-year-old mum had been walking along the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, when she vanished.
Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith said that the mum was quickly ranked as "high risk" due to her "vulnerabilities" that partner Paul Ansell had made them aware of.
During a press conference with Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson, she said that out of respect to Nicola's family and the "unimaginable pain and distress" they are going through, she would not go into anymore detail about the vulnerabilities.
However, hours later, police issued a statement saying the Nicola, a mum-of-two, had suffered from "issues with alcohol" triggered by the menopause.
They said: "Sadly, it is clear from speaking to Paul and the family that Nicola had in the past suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause and that these struggles had resurfaced over recent months. This caused some real challenges for Paul and the family."
Here, ex police officer Peter Kirkham explains police's working theory on river
Missing persons reports are categorised in accordance with the very detailed guidance issued by the College of Policing.
All forces are expected to comply with this guidance though there is scope for them to decide on the detail of how they comply with it.
The categories range from Low Risk (where any risk to either the missing person or others is possible but minimal), through Medium Risk (where it is likely but not serious) to High Risk (where serious harm is very likely).
Serious harm is defined by the Home Office as “life threatening or traumatic harm from which recovery (physical or psychological) is expected to be difficult or impossible”.
One of the main criticisms of police in relation to missing persons reports over the years has been a delay in starting to make enquiries.
It has been clear from the start of the Nicola Bulley investigation that this criticism cannot be levelled at Lancashire Police.
They're now saying they categorised her as “vulnerable” (thus High Risk) from the outset is no surprise.
In high risk cases proactive enquiries start immediately.
Partner organisations are engaged, an officer of rank is appointed as investigating officer and a senior officer is involved in active oversight.
Where appropriate, a Senior Investigating Officer is appointed and the investigation becomes very similar to a homicide investigation in terms of the resources applied.
Lancashire Police have now explained the basis for her being considered “vulnerable”.
It may help explain both why the police have been so apparently confident in their working hypothesis that she ended up in the river, and why she was reported missing to the police by her partner so soon after her dog and phone had been found.
