Police watchdog probes welfare check on Nicola Bulley days before she went missing

The investigation comes after the force said it would also conduct its own internal review

The police watchdog has launched an investigation into a welfare check on Nicola Bulley carried out by Lancashire Police on 10 January, days before she was last seen.

An IOPC spokesperson said: “Following a referral by Lancashire Constabulary on Thursday (16 February) we have started an independent investigation regarding contact the force had with Nicola Bulley on 10 January 2023.

“We were notified by the force that an officer attended the family home on that date as part of a welfare check.”

It came as Lancashire’s police and crime commissioner announced a “full independent review” of the entire case. Andrew Snowden said the public had questions about the handling of elements of the investigation.

“In my role as commissioner, as the public’s voice in policing in Lancashire, I also need to put in place the appropriate scrutiny to seek the right assurances and to ensure I am effectively holding the constabulary to account,” he said.

“I have therefore taken the decision to commission a full independent review into the handling of this case, with clearly defined terms of reference, to ensure lessons can be learnt, not just for Lancashire, but for all forces.

“This includes how such cases can be best investigated and communicated under such spotlight and scrutiny.”

Nicola Bulley, 45, was missing for more than three weeks before her body was discovered in the River Wyre (PA Media)

The force had come under fire and was labelled “sexist” for revealing that the missing mother was regarded as high risk due to issues with alcohol and menopause.

Lancashire Police already said it would conduct an internal review into the Nicola Bulley investigation.

Information commissioner John Edwards said he will be asking Lancashire Police about its decision to disclose Ms Bulley’s struggles with alcohol and HRT.

He said in a statement: “Data protection law exists to ensure people’s personal information is used properly and fairly. This includes ensuring personal details are not disclosed inappropriately.

“Given the high-profile nature of this case, we will be asking Lancashire Police to set out how they reached the decision to disclose this information in due course.”

The force also came under fire from the leader of Wyre Council, who said there were “lessons to be learnt”.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Lancashire Police assistant chief constable Peter Lawson confirmed Ms Bulley had been identified.

Nicola Bulley was found far not far from where she went missing (Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign started after the body found in the River Wyre was confirmed to be Ms Bulley’s has raised more than £10,000 for her family.

Her friends and family now launched the campaign saying Nicola’s legacy will live on through her partner Paul and their two daughters.

“As you can imagine, this is a situation that no one wishes to find themselves in, and we want to help the family through this awful time,” the organisers wrote. “The hope is that the funds raised will give the family one less worry, and will help Paul and their little girls now and into the future.

“The beautiful Nicola Bulley was the most amazing person you could have ever met, a heart made of gold, that shined through in everything she did. Her kindness knew no bounds and her legacy will live on through her beautiful little girls and Paul.”