Nicola Bulley: What is a high-risk missing person and how is this determined?

NicolaBulley disappeared on January 27 while walking her dog next to the river in St Michael’s on Wyre

(Picture: PA Media)

Police have said missing mum Nicola Bulley was considered a “high-risk missing person” from the start of the investigation.

Lancashire Constabulary confirmed the priority action on Wednesday with the mother of two, 45, having not been seen since January 27.

Ms Bulley disappeared while walking her dog next to the river in St Michael’s on Wyre. However, authorities have found no trace of her despite an extensive search. Her dog was found running between the bench and a gate to the field but without its harness.

Here’s all you need to know about how police process missing person cases.

Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith of Lancashire Police updates the media on the search for Nicola Bulley (PA Wire)

What is a high-risk missing person?

After a missing person is reported, police will assess if the case is high, medium or low risk. This takes into account safety factors and the age or circumstances of the missing person, as well as the time they have been missing.

Forces encourage callers to ask about what band of risk the missing person is considered.

The risk level is not fixed and can change throughout the investigation.

Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith of Lancashire Police said on Wednesday that Ms Bulley was listed as high risk because of a “number of specific vulnerabilities”.

Police later clarified that these referred to “significant issues with alcohol” brought on by “ongoing struggles with the menopause”.

A member of the police search and rescue team waits at Shard Bridge for a boat to come down the river Wyre in Lancashire (PA Wire)

What happens when I report someone missing?

Once a missing person has been reported, police will try to contact the caller within an hour to ask any further questions.

Police have said their initial checks will include avenues such as:

• Searching the missing person’s home.
• Searching the area they were last seen.
• Checking local hospitals.
• Checking the missing person’s mobile phones or computers.
• Knock on local doors to see if anyone has any information.
• Looking at CCTV footage.
• Carrying out specialist searches (for example using helicopters, dogs or divers) if needed.

If officers do not think a case is a missing person investigation, they will tell you why and who to call instead.

A police search and rescue team in Knott End-on-Sea, Lancashire, on the southern side of Morecambe Bay, continue the search for Ms Bulley on February 10 (PA)

Longer-term cases

Police have said that most missing people are found or return in the first few days but if someone is missing for longer than a few days, the investigation will change.

In this case, a family liaison officer may be assigned and after three days the local force has to tell the UK Missing Persons Unit.

Anyone concerned can also contact the charity Missing People via its website.