Nicola Bulley cops refer themselves to police watchdog over contact with mum 3 weeks before she vanished
POLICE investigating the disappearance of Nicola Bulley have referred themselves to the police watchdog.
Lancashire Police said they contacted the Independent Office for Police Conduct in regards to an incident they attended at Nicola’s house three weeks before she vanished.
On Wednesday, the force said Nicola had “significant issues with alcohol” as a result of menopause.
It was also revealed officers had been called to the family’s home after “a report of concern for welfare” on January 10.
These factors, partly identified by her partner Paul Ansell, meant she was classified as a high-risk missing person with several “vulnerabilities”.
An IOPC spokesperson today said: “Lancashire Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over the contact the force had with missing mother Nicola Bulley on January 10, prior to her disappearance.”
Nicola was last seen close to the River Wyre on January 27 with her springer spaniel Willow.
Extensive water and land searches have been carried out, but there has been sign of her since.
The mortgage adviser’s family are desperate to bring her home so she can give her children a “cuddle”.
They said in a statement released via the police today: “Nikki is such a wonderful daughter, sister, partner and mother and is missed dearly – we all need you back in our lives.
“Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know that we love you so much and your girls want a cuddle.
“We all need you home. You can reach out to us, or you can contact MissingPeople.org.uk.
“Don’t be scared, we all love you so very much.”
It comes as investigators have faced huge backlash for sharing details that could “destroy” Nicola’s reputation.
Broadcaster Fern Britton, 65, said in a tweet: “I am uncomfortable with the latest news suggesting that Nicola Bulley has an issue with alcohol and menopause.
“The undertone is that she maybe ‘a bit unstable’ or perhaps even ‘not in her right mind’.
“Too easy to write a woman off like this. What lies behind it?”
Labour MP for Walthamstow Stella Creasy also questioned the cops’ decision to publicly disclose the private information, describing it as “deeply troubling”.