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<\/p>\nDETECTIVES investigating the disappearance of Nicola Bulley may face a probe by the police watchdog.<\/p>\n
The Independent Office for Police Conduct today said it had contacted the force on the case after certain details came to light yesterday. <\/p>\n
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On Wednesday, Lancashire Police said Nicola, who vanished after dropping her kids off at school\u00a0in St Michael's on Wyre,\u00a0Lancashire, almost three weeks ago, had "significant issues with alcohol" as a result of\u00a0menopause.<\/p>\n
It was also revealed officers had been\u00a0called to the family's home\u00a0after "a report of concern for welfare" on January 10.<\/p>\n
These factors, partly identified by her partner Paul Ansell, meant she was classified as a\u00a0high risk missing person with several "vulnerabilities". <\/p>\n
An IOPC spokesperson today said: "Following information that was made public by Lancashire Constabulary yesterday, we have made contact with the force to determine if a referral to the IOPC may be required."<\/p>\n
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Nicola was last seen close to the River Wyre on January 27 with her springer spaniel Willow.<\/p>\n
Extensive water and land searches have been carried out, but there has been sign of her since. <\/p>\n
The mortgage adviser's family are desperate to bring her home so she can give her children a "cuddle". <\/p>\n
They said in a statement released via the police today: "Nikki is such a wonderful daughter, sister, partner and mother and is missed dearly – we all need you back in our lives.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n "Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know that we love you so much and your girls want a cuddle. <\/p>\n "We all need you home. You can reach out to us, or you can contact MissingPeople.org.uk.<\/p>\n "Don\u2019t be scared, we all love you so very much."<\/p>\n Cops yesterday said Nicola had previously battled "significant issues with alcohol" as a result of\u00a0menopause which had recently resurfaced. <\/p>\n Lancashire Police also revealed they'd been\u00a0called to the family's home\u00a0after "a report of concern for welfare" on January 10. <\/p>\n These factors, partly identified by her partner Paul Ansell, meant she was classified as a high risk missing person. <\/p>\n Detectives today vowed to continue their hunt.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for the force said: "Our sole focus throughout the investigation has been to find Nicola, to bring her home and to support her family through the trauma they are experiencing.\u00a0 <\/p>\n "The most important person in all of this is Nicola.\u00a0<\/p>\n "As we approach the three-week anniversary of her going missing, we remain committed to doing everything we can to find her."<\/p>\n Investigators have faced huge backlash for sharing details that could "destroy" Nicola's reputation.<\/p>\n Broadcaster Fern Britton, 65, said in a tweet: "I am uncomfortable with the latest news suggesting that Nicola Bulley has an issue with alcohol and menopause.<\/p>\n "The undertone is that she maybe \u2018a bit unstable\u2019 or perhaps even \u2018not in her right mind.\u2019 <\/p>\n "Too easy to write a woman off like this. What lies behind it?"<\/p>\n Labour MP for Walthamstow Stella Creasy also questioned the cops' decision to publicly disclose the private information, describing it as "deeply troubling". <\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/VP-COMP-WOMEN-v2.jpg\")
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