A senior police officer leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nicola Bulley has said that online speculation about the case is the "worst she had seen" in her 29-year career. In a press conference on day 20 of the search, Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith of Lancashire Police said she had "never seen anything like it."
Ms Bulley was reported missing on Friday, January 27, while walking her springer spaniel, Willow, in the village of St Michael’s on Wyre after she dropped her two daughters – aged six and nine – at school. As the investigation nears the three-week mark of her disappearance there has been a significant interest in the case both online and with people visiting the scene.
Addressing the interest, DS Smith said that social media video bloggers coming to the scene trying to solve the case has "distracted us significantly" and been the worst she has seen in nearly three decades with the police.
Read more: Ten important updates from Nicola Bulley police conference as police address specific theories
Speaking at the press conference DS Smith said: "It has significantly distracted the investigation. In 29-years police service I have never seen anything like it. Some of it has been quite shocking and really hurtful to the family.
"Obviously we can't disregard anything and we have reviewed everything that has come in but of course it has distracted us significantly."
Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson, an officer also appearing at the press office said "speculation and conjecture" has at times distracted and damaged the investigation into finding Ms Bulley. But he thanks the 'incredible' support from the public and says police will continue to be as transparent as they can be.
Lancashire Police have always said officers are keeping an "open mind" as they continue appealing for information regarding Ms Bulley's whereabouts but that their working hypothesis had always been that she had entered the river. The force is still searching the river towards the sea at Morecambe Bay with the idea that the 45-year-old, from Inskip, may have fallen in.
In a press conference on Wednesday, DS Smith said there was "not one single piece of information" that had come to light since her disappearance to suggest criminal third-party involvement or that Ms Bulley had otherwise left the area.
During the press conference, the officers addressed a number of scenarios and theories relating to what has happened to Nicola, you can read about those here.
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