Lancashire police have clarified why it was continuing to assess the river close to where Nicola Bulley went missing.
On Tuesday (April 11), a police diving team was spotted in the area in proximity to where the mum-of-two disappeared. It is understood that officers were also at the scene earlier in April.
While speculation was rife as to what the police were still doing in the area, it has now been confirmed that they were there under the instruction of the HM Coroner. It was highlighted that the police were not performing any more searches along the river and it was simply part of the 'coronial process.
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A Lancashire police spokesperson said: “There has been misinformed speculation over the past few days relating to police activity in the River Wyre. As previously stated, police divers were acting under instruction of HM Senior Coroner and had been asked to assess the riverbanks in the vicinity of where Nicola Bulley went missing.
"They had not been tasked either to perform any further searches within the river or along the banks or to locate any articles. This activity is to assist with the coronial process.”
HM Senior Coroner, Dr James Adeley, said: “Speculation as to the role and purpose of Officers acting on my instructions is unhelpful in the resolution of this inquest.”
Nicola vanished while walking her dog by the river on January 27 which sparked a wide-reaching search. On February 19, her body was discovered.
Meanwhile, an inquest into her death will be heard on Monday, June 26 at County Hall, Preston.
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