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19th February 2023
05:34pm GMT

The force sealed off nearby roads after receiving a call at around 11.50 am, it is understood.
A photographer at the scene said: "It all happened so fast. Police have sealed all the roads off. It's fair to say a massive search is underway." Nicola was last seen walking her cocker spaniel along the River Wyre, Lancashire, at 9.10am on January 27, having earlier dropped her daughters, aged six and nine, at school. Lancashire Police's "main working hypothesis" was that she accidentally fell into the river. https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1627310880160460802 At a press conference on Wednesday, detective superintendent Smith criticised the press and public for "misconstruing" her statement that her "main hypothesis" was that Nicola had fallen in the river. At the same press conference, Lancashire Police said social media sleuths and "TikTokers playing private detectives" near the scene had distracted search efforts. Detective Superintendent Smith said investigating officers have been "inundated with false information, accusations and rumours" relating to the case. The force also chose to reveal that Nicola was deemed "high risk" due to "vulnerabilities" she had. Whilst they declined to give more information about this at the time out of respect for the privacy of the family, it was later revealed that she had alcohol issues as a result of struggles with the menopause. Lancashire Police has since been roundly criticised for the decision to reveal this private information, with many wondering what point this served in regards to the case and accusing the police of trying to shift the focus away from them. Related links: Dog walker who found Nicola Bulley’s phone speaks out for the first time Lancashire police to be questioned over Nicola Bulley case Nicola Bulley's friend says police shared her alcohol struggles to 'shift focus' off them.Explore more on these topics: