Nicola Bulley: Two people arrested on suspicion of malicious communications over missing dog walker
Two people have been arrested for allegedly sending malicious messages to Wyre Council members over the disappearance of Nicola Bulley.
Lancashire Police said it received reports of the messages at the weekend, which led to the arrest of a 49-year-old man from Manchester on suspicion of malicious communications offences.
He has since been released on bail, pending further enquiries, until 12 May.
A 20-year-old woman from Oldham has also since been arrested on suspicion of malicious communications offences and she remains in police custody.
Lancashire Police said enquiries are ongoing.
A major search has been underway for the 45-year-old after she was last seen on Friday 27 January while walking on a footpath by the River Wyre.
It is understood Ms Bulley went missing in just “a 10-minute window” while she was walking her dog, Willow, close to the river, after dropping off her daughters – aged six and nine – at school.
Wyre Council has since removed a number of contact details from its website after the “inappropriate emails and phone calls” over the missing mother-of-two.
On Monday, the council said it had temporarily removed contact details for “parish and town council members”, as Lancashire Police confirmed it is investigating.
In a statement, Wyre Council leader Michael Vincent said: “We appreciate the emotional gravity of the situation; however we will not tolerate any form of abuse of any of our elected members of Wyre Borough Council or any of the town and parish councils within our borders or our staff.
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“The community has shown great strength and resilience during the investigation and we urge everyone to continue to show compassion and empathy.
“It is a shame that we have had to take this step at such a difficult time and appropriate steps are being taken to ensure that residents are still able to contact their elected representatives.”
The council added: “Wyre Council will log any reports of abuse and these will be forwarded to the police. Please be respectful.”
Its chief executive Garry Payne said: “Everyone is deeply saddened by the ongoing Nicola Bulley case and our thoughts are with the family and friends.
“We are supporting Lancashire Police where required and we urge everyone to remain respectful at this time.”
A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “This has been reported to us and inquiries are ongoing.”
Earlier, a senior detective told Sky News that investigators should shift their messaging to the public and have an open mind during their search for Ms Bulley, a former senior detective has told Sky News.
Underwater teams have scoured the river, while others have asked for dashcam and other footage to be turned over in the hunt for Ms Bulley.
People have also turned up in the village to join the search, with a dispersal order put in place after some risked their safety by looking in derelict and abandoned buildings.