Social media platform TikTok has issued a statement over the "appalling" content some users were uploading during the Nicola Bulley investigation.
The 45-year-old mum-of-two went missing on January 27 after dropping off her two daughters at school in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire. Her disappearance sparked a major investigation - with helicopters, drones and specialist search teams involved.
But the investigation turned ghoulish at times when TikTokers headed to the small village to carry out their own searches, despite being told to stay away by Lancashire Police. Over the weekend, TikTok "detectives" sparked fury by filming themselves digging up woodland close to where Nicola went missing, MirrorOnline reports.
READ MORE: Police confirm body found in river is that of missing Nicola Bulley
Two people posted a TikTok video of themselves searching woodland close to the River Wyre, just days after senior police officers urged people to stay away from the area.
On Saturday, local council chief Michael Vincent said: "It's almost as though social media idiocy and reality have become blurred. We've had these weirdos, these ghouls, trying people's door handles, peering through their windows.
"There has to be an element of decency. We can't allow social media to be a place where there is no morality."
The video was posted online and showed a man digging up the soil while another filmed him commenting on Nicola’s disappearance. Following wide criticism about TikTokers during the investigation, a spokesperson said tonight: "Our thoughts are with Ms Bulley's family and friends at this difficult time.
"We do not tolerate bullying or harassment on TikTok and remove content that violates our policies."
Tonight, Lancashire Police tragically confirmed that Nicola was found dead in the river yesterday - and her family released a statement saying they are heartbroken. They described Nicola as "the centre of our world" adding they would "never be able to comprehend what Nikki had gone through in her last moments and that will never leave us".
The family said: "We will never forget Nikki, how could we, she was the centre of our world, she was the one who made our lives so special and nothing will cast a shadow over that. Our girls will get the support they need from the people who love them the most."
The family also questioned the role of the press during the investigation and accused the media of "misquoting and vilifying" Ms Bulley's partner, relatives and friends.
"It saddens us to think that one day we will have to explain to them (Ms Bulley's children) that the press and members of the public accused their dad of wrongdoing, misquoted and vilified friends and family. This is absolutely appalling, they have to be held accountable. This cannot happen to another family.
"We tried last night to take in what we had been told in the day, only to have Sky News and ITV making contact with us directly when we expressly asked for privacy. They again have taken it upon themselves to run stories about us to sell papers and increase their own profiles.
"It is shameful they have acted in this way. Leave us alone now. Do the press and other media channels and so called professionals not know when to stop? These are our lives and our children's lives.
"To those who genuinely helped and supported us, privately, we thank you. The community support in St Michael's, friends, neighbours and strangers has been nothing short of comforting and heart-warming. Friends you know who you are. Thank you."
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