✕CloseFamily of Nicola Bulley release statement after her body is discovered in River Wyre
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Lancashire Constabulary had been found to ‘require improvement’ in how it investigated crime months before the force investigated Nicola Bulley’s disappearance.
The force had been Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary to be ‘good’ overall but was not always carrying out investigations 'timely' and 'thoroughly'.
The watchdog added that victims 'weren't always updated on progress' on cases.
A statement from the constabulary said: “We acknowledge the findings of the HMICFRS report in which we are graded as ‘good’ in six areas, and where any areas for improvement were identified work is already underway to address these.”
Meanwhile, a TikTok user who lied to police and filmed officers as they pulled Nicola Bulley’s body from the River Wyre has been unmasked as barber Curtis Arnold.
The 34-year-old posted footage of officers searching the water’s edge across several social media channels and later admitted to earning close to £900 in royalties for the posts.
The TikTok account which had been dedicated to coverage of the Nicola Bulley case – spun as “media done differently” – has since been removed.
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Show latest update
What investigations have been launched and why?
(Family Handout/PA)
(PA Media)
Since Nicola Bulley disappeared, the police, social media sleuths and the media have all received widespread criticism.
The 45-year-old’s body was pulled from the River Wye in Lancashire on Sunday but a number of questions have been left unanswered.
For the full story, click here.
William Mata26 February 2023 14:551677421020
Nicola Bulley police force deemed ‘in need of improvement’ months before mother went missing
Lancashire Police was found to “require improvement” in investigating crimes months before the force was criticised over its handling of the search for missing mum Nicola Bulley.
An inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary found investigations “aren’t always carried out in a timely manner and sometimes lack effective investigation plans, which are poorly supervised”.
William Mata has the details here:
Nicola Bulley police force ‘in need of improvement’ months before mother went missing
Report finds Lancashire Police’s investigations aren’t always carried out in timely manner and sometimes lack effective planning
Emily Atkinson26 February 2023 14:171677416728
Full story: Lancashire Police was found to require improvement
Lancashire Police was found to “require improvement” in investigating crimes months before the force was criticised over its handling of the search for missing mum Nicola Bulley.
An inspection by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary found investigations “aren’t always carried out in a timely manner and sometimes lack effective investigation plans, which are poorly supervised”.
It said, “this means relevant lines of enquiry may be missed”.
Read the full story here.
William Mata26 February 2023 13:051677408120
Lancashire Constabulary rated ‘requires improvement’ for investigating crimes in most recent inspection
Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith, of Lancashire Constabulary, updates the media as police continue their search for Nicola Bulley
(PA Wire)
Lancashire Constabulary, the force which investigated the disappearance of Nicola Bulley, was found to be ‘good’ overall but did fall short in one key area.
The force was judged as ‘requires improvement’ in the area of investigating crime.
“I am pleased with the performance of Lancashire Constabulary in keeping people safe and reducing crime, although it needs to improve in some areas to provide a consistently good service,” His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr said at the time.
William Mata26 February 2023 10:421677397428
Sunday morning round-up: TikToker who tricked police to film body is unmasked
The top story from yesterday was the unmasking of a TikTok star who filmed police has they pulled Nicola Bulley’s body from the River Wyre. The 34-year-old barber Curtis Arnold posted footage of officers searching the water’s edge across several social media channels and later admitted to earning close to £900 in royalties for the posts.
William Mata26 February 2023 07:431677393932
Over £30,000 raised to support family of Nicola Bulley with funeral costs
Over £30,000 has been raised to support the family of Nicola Bulley with funeral costs.
The GoFundMe page was set up two days ago by friends of Ms Bulley after the 45-year-old’s body was found to support the family through funeral planning and to support her daughters.
Ms Bulley’s friends originally aimed to raise £10,000, but raised the amount to £25,000 after surpassing their target.
In a statement posted on the GoFundMe page, they said: “This is a situation that no one wishes to find themselves in, and we want to help the family through this awful time. 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.”
Donate to the GoFundMe here.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 February 2023 06:451677390332
The Nicola Bulley ‘armchair detectives’ have crossed a line
There are thousands of retired and former police officers who’ve had the good grace and emotional intelligence not to get involved in the runaway commentary that has surrounded Nicola Bulley’s disappearance.
The only people who can claim to actually care about finding Nicola are her distraught loved ones and the 200 or so professionals who are on the ground in Lancashire, and have been for the past three weeks. Virtually everybody else who has invited themselves into the midst of these awful circumstances has done so for personal gain or validation.
Let me be clear: I am not referring to former cops who in good faith have tried to provide some insight into the rationale and investigation around “high-risk” missing person strategies.
I’m instead talking about a handful of former police officers, who in my opinion have recklessly thrown in completely unfounded and entirely speculative theories, that have resulted in the press and media seizing upon them and spreading them as if they were the truth.
It is essentially spotlight courting, and quite frankly I’m sickened by it (as are all the other current and serving police professionals I know).
Mike Pannettwrites:
Opinion: The Nicola Bulley ‘armchair detectives’ have crossed a line
Nicola’s disappearance isn’t last night’s TV drama cliffhanger – it is a real event concerning real people, and we should respect that
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 February 2023 05:451677386732
Nicola Bulley: What investigations have been launched and why?
In case you missed it…
Since Nicola Bulley disappeared, the police, social media sleuths and the media have all received widespread criticism.
The 45-year-old’s body was pulled from the River Wye in Lancashire on Sunday but a number of questions have been left unanswered.
Here, the PA news agency looks at what investigations have been launched since her body was recovered and why they are necessary:
Nicola Bulley: What investigations have been launched and why?
The 45-year-old’s body was recovered from the River Wye in Lancashire on Sunday.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 February 2023 04:451677383132
Media watchdog Ofcom has asked ITV and Sky to “explain their actions” in Nicola Bulley reporting:
In case you missed it…
Ofcom has written to ITV and Sky “to ask them to explain their actions” after Nicola Bulley’s family accused them of intruding on their privacy after her body was discovered in the River Wyre.
The media watchdog said it was “extremely concerned” after the 45-year-old’s relatives questioned the role of the media during the investigation into her disappearance.
“They again have taken it upon themselves to run stories about us to sell papers and increase their own profits,” a statement from the family read. Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
Media watchdog Ofcom asks ITV and Sky to ‘explain actions’ in Nicola Bulley reporting
Ofcom has written to ITV and Sky “to ask them to explain their actions” after Nicola Bulley’s family accused them of intruding on their privacy after her body was discovered in the River Wyre. The media watchdog said it was “extremely concerned” after the 45-year-old’s relatives questioned the role of the media during the investigation into her disappearance. “They again have taken it upon themselves to run stories about us to sell papers and increase their own profits,” a statement from the family read. Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 February 2023 03:451677379532
Three reasons why it may have taken so long to find Nicola Bulley’s body
Missing mother Nicola Bulley was finally found on Sunday, around a mile away from where she was last seen on the river in St Michael’s on Wyre in Lancashire.
Ms Bulley had disappeared on 27 January while walking her dog after dropping her children off at school earlier that morning.
Police said two walkers, who used a path well trodden by officers, found her and the body was formally identified the following day.
Experts have said there are a number of reasons why Ms Bulley might not have been found sooner.
Three reasons why it may have taken so long to find Nicola Bulley’s body
Body of missing mother-of-two was discovered in a stretch of river already searched by police
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 February 2023 02:45
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