Lancashire police and diver Peter Faulding have been criticised in an independent review into the force’s handling of the disappearance of Nicola Bulley released this morning.
The force’s disclosure of personal information about the missing mother’s health struggles was “avoidable and unnecessary”, the review led by the College of Policing has found.
Meanwhile, the report said Lancashire Police felt some of Mr Faulding’s behaviour and activities “caused challenges to the investigation”, including unwarranted distress and false alarm for Ms Bulley’s family after he told them he thought he had found her body.
Ms Bulley drowned after accidentally falling into cold water, an inquest ruled in June. The 45-year-old had vanished after dropping off her daughters, six and nine, at school and taking her usual dog walk along the River Wyre in St Michael’s, Lancashire, on 27 January.
The search for Ms Bulley and the subsequent police investigation received nationwide coverage with huge interest on social media.
The force faced heavy criticism over its disclosure of Ms Bulley’s personal information, such as that she had “alcohol issues” and had been going through the menopause, with even the Prime Minister expressing concern.
