Lancashire Police were today seen searching a caravan site near where Nicola Bulley disappeared, as the search for the missing mum of two enters its third week.
Nicola vanished without a trace January 27, while walking her springer spaniel Willow in the village of St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire.
Her disappearance took place shortly after dropping her daughters, aged nine and six respectively, off at school.
The Mirror reports that her phone was found on a bench overlooking the river, still connected to a work call. The caravan site being visited by officers is believed to be one of several CCTV 'blind spots' identified in the search for Ms Bulley.
A friend, named Tilly-Ann, previously wrote in a Facebook post backed by Ms Bulley's family: "There's CCTV at the back of the caravan park. The only camera that isn't working is the one that would have seen everything."
It comes as police officers are reportedly widening their investigation to include the day before she went missing. As part of their investigation, detectives are claimed to have now requested CCTV footage from a local garage that covers one of the exit points from the field where she vanished.
Meanwhile, a witness has reportedly told police that he spotted two men acting suspiciously close to Nicola's dog-walk route the day before she went missing. The allegedly suspicious pair were seen outside a local church on January 26, according to reports.
It is unclear if the police reportedly collecting CCTV on the same day is connected to these claims. A worker at St Michael's Garage told The Sun on Sunday: "Two smartly dressed officers came in following up, a man and a woman.
"They wanted the CCTV from the day before Nicola vanished and to take statements of any activity we had seen from that day. These officers were different to the ones in uniform, they seemed very assertive."
Detectives have discounted foul play and are treating Nicola's disappearance as a missing person inquiry. Police are also continuing to trawl the River Wyre towards the sea at Morecambe Bay, working on one hypothesis that Ms Bulley could have fallen in.
The search has been aided by specialists and divers from HM Coastguard, mountain rescue and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, with sniffer dogs, drones and police helicopters. Yesterday, yellow ribbons with handwritten messages were left on a bridge close to where she disappeared.
Ribbons with messages including 'We need you home Nicola', 'Praying for your safe return' and 'I love you' have been tied to a footbridge over the River Wyre. A large poster with a photograph of Ms Bulley has also been attached to the railings.
Ms Bulley's partner, Paul Ansell, said he wants to keep 'all options open' about her disappearance, but his 'gut instinct' tells him she is not in the river.
He described Ms Bulley as 'fun', 'loving', 'the most loyal friend you could ever have' and an 'exceptional mum' who 'absolutely adores our girls'.
Read next:
- Dog expert's verdict on why Nicola Bulley's dog was 'running back and forth' after she vanished
- Nicola Bulley updates - Friends take to the roadside of St Michael's on Wyre with signs and placards
- Nicola Bulley: Former DCI says seven key questions must be answered
- Nicola Bulley: Six unanswered questions as police continue search for missing mum
- The 11 facts in Nicola Bulley's disappearance that people should know, says friend
