Nicola Bulley: Everything we know so far about missing Inskip woman's disappearance as search operation enters its sixth day

When did Nicola Bulley go missing?

Nicola, from Inskip, was last seen by a member of the public at around 9.15am on Friday (January 27).

Where was she last seen?

The 45-year-old was last seen on a footpath by the River Wyre off Garstang Road in the village of St Michael’s on Wyre

What was she doing?

Ms Bulley was walking her brown-coloured spaniel prior to her disappearance.

Her mobile phone was later found on a nearby bench, along with the dog lead and harness.

Police said her phone was still connected to a conference call when it was found.

Her dog, springer spaniel Willow, was found loose between the river and bench, about an hour after she went missing.

What did she do prior to the walk?

It is understood Ms Bulley dropped off her two young children at St Michael’s-on-Wyre Church of England Primary School before heading on the walk.

Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29

Searches were carried out by Lancashire Police over the weekend, using a helicopter, drones and police dogs, with support Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue team and the North West Underwater Search Team.

Local community members also organised search efforts across the St Michael’s area.

Ms Bulley's partner, Paul Ansell, said he spent all of Sunday searching for her.

Monday, January 30

Police said on Monday they were keeping an “open mind” about what happened but do not believe Ms Bulley was attacked.

In a press conference, Supt Sally Riley from Lancashire Police said fears for Ms Bulley are growing as time passes.

She added: “The police are keeping a really open mind about what could have happened but we do believe that the likelihood is that Nicola has gone missing and this is not a crime inquiry.

“People do go missing but clearly as time goes on we become more and more concerned for Nicola.”

Mr Ansell, an engineer who has been in a relationship with Ms Bulley for 12 years, said: “It is just perpetual hell. It is just utter disbelief.

“It doesn’t feel real. All we can say is we need to find her. She’s got two little girls that need their mummy home. We have got to get some good news now.”

Tuesday, January 31

Police searching for Ms Bulley said on Tuesday night that a “potentially key” witness they wanted to speak to had been located.

Earlier police had said the man – who was walking a small white fluffy dog on a lead – had spoken to a woman in the area who found Bulley’s dog, before he walked in the direction of Rowanwater.

In a statement, Ms Bulley’s family said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support from our community and would like to thank everyone for their ongoing efforts to help us find Nicola.

“The girls are desperate to have their mummy back home safe with them and your ongoing efforts have provided comfort to them whilst we await news on Nicola.

“We ask for anyone who thinks they may have any information that may help the police find Nicola to please come forward and help them with their inquiries.”

Stephanie Benyon, one of Ms Bulley’s friends, said she would not stop searching until she is found.

She said: “As a community we are doing our best to try and find Nikki.

“Walks will take place from St Michael’s on Wyre up to Knott End-on-Sea.

“In the tennis club there will be maps of different routes for you to walk independently.

“We must stress that you should always walk with someone and never be alone.”

Wednesday, February 1

On Wednesday, Kev Camplin, of Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue, said the grounds of a large unoccupied house were being searched along with a three-mile stretch of river and wooded area.

He said: “The abandoned house is right opposite the bench on the other side of the river, over a 10ft garden wall. It’s quite posh.

“We didn’t go into the house, as a volunteer search and rescue team we don’t actually go into buildings. We might go into a barn or something. We leave that to the police.

“While the team was searching the grounds, the owner was there for some reason, and we asked him to go in and he had a quick look around and she wasn’t there."

How can I help?

A large number of people from the local community have organised searches of the area.

However, police warned residents to ‘stay safe’ because the “river and its banks are extremely dangerous” and present a “genuine risk to the public”.

Chief Insp Chris Barton, of Lancashire Police, said: “We appreciate there is a great deal of concern in the local area and that people want to help, however we would ask that nobody puts themselves in any danger.

“If anybody has any questions or concerns they are welcome to speak to officers in the area.”

Supt Sally Riley appealed to anyone who was driving through St Michael’s at around 9.15am on January 27 to examine their dashcam footage to see if they had captured Nicola as she began her walk on the road bridge over the river.

She also urged anyone who was walking along the towpath from the village on Garstang Road to get in touch.

“If anyone has any information that could help, please come forward,” she added.

If you have any information that may help police, call 101 quoting log number 473 of January 27.

For immediate sightings call 999.