Nicola Bulley‘s concerned family have issued a fresh statement to mark the three-week date since she went missing.
The 45-year-old Lancashire mum-of-two was last seen walking her dog Willow on a riverside footpath on Friday 27 January at around 9:20am, and a huge search effort has been taking place ever since in the area around Garstang Road near the village of St. Michael’s on Wyre.
Both Nicola’s dog and her phone – which was still connected to a work conference call – were found on a bench along the river on the morning she went missing.
Nicola is described as white, 5ft 3ins tall, with light brown shoulder-length hair, and she speaks with an Essex accent.
Lancashire Police says it “remains committed to doing everything we can to find [Nicola]”.
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“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,” Lancashire Police insisted yesterday.
“The most important person in all of this is Nicola.”
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The police’s insistence of its commitment to doing everything in their power to find Nicola comes after it was confirmed yesterday that the Constabulary had referred itself to watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, over contact officers had with Nicola prior to her disappearance.
It also comes after it was revealed earlier this week that Nicola was considered to be ‘high-risk’ at the time of her disappearance.
Police chose to state that the ‘high-risk’ classification was due to the missing woman having “significant issues with alcohol”, and the fact she was struggling with side effects of the perimenopause and menopausal symptoms.
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Nicola’s family say they were “aware” ahead of time that the police were going to release such information, but after growing controversy, Home Secretary Suella Braverman has this morning demanded an “explanation” over the force’s decision to reveal details of her private life.
Nicola Bulley’s family have issued a fresh statement three weeks after she went missing / Credit: Lancashire Police
Now, exactly three weeks to the day of her disappearance, Nicola’s family have issued a statement to urge the public that their “focus has to be on finding her”.
Their statement reads: :It has now been three weeks since Nikki went missing.
“We, as a family, believe that the public focus has become distracted from finding Nikki, and more about speculation and rumours into her and Paul’s private life. As a family, we were aware beforehand that Lancashire Police, last night, released a statement with some personal details about our Nikki.
“Although we know that Nikki would not have wanted this, there are people out there speculating and threatening to sell stories about her.
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“This is appalling and needs to stop.
“The police know the truth about Nikki and now the public need to focus on finding her. Due to the perimenopause, Nikki suffered with significant side effects such as brain fog, restless sleep and was taking HRT to help, but this was giving her intense headaches, which caused her to stop taking the HRT, thinking that may have helped her – but only ended up causing this crisis.”
45-year-old Nicola Bulley went missing on Friday 27 January 2023 / Credit: Nicola Bulley
“The public’s focus has to be on finding her and not making up wild theories about her personal life,” the family’s statement continued.
“Despite what some media outlets and individuals are suggesting, we are being updated daily and receive support from our family liaison officers.”
Nicola’s family closed out their statement speaking directly to their “wonderful daughter, sister, partner, and mother” directly.
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“Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know that we love you so much and your girls want a cuddle. We all need you home. You can reach out to us, or you can contact MissingPeople.org.uk. Don’t be scared, we all love you so very much.
Spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display confirmed for Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Manchester will celebrate New Year’s Eve with a spectacular FREE fireworks display, the council has confirmed.
This year, the dazzling display to ring in the new year will be set off from the roof of the city’s landmark Central Library building.
Mancs will be able to gather in St Peter’s Square as the city waves goodbye to 2024 and welcomes a new year.
The family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration has never taken place at St Peter’s Square before, nor has the iconic Manchester Central library hosted any sort of fireworks display.
The fireworks spectacular and New Year countdown will take place on Tuesday 31 December between 10pm and 12.30am, hosted by local radio presenter and DJ Joe McGrath.
With a rough capacity of 20,000 people, there’ll be a festive atmosphere in the city centre – but Manchester City Council has stressed that alcohol is not permitted at the New Year’s Eve fireworks event.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas and New Year spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “If there’s something we do well in Manchester, it’s getting together for a big celebration – and there’s no better time for a big do than New Year’s Eve.
“This is the time to remember the year we’ve just had and to look ahead to the new one and all it may bring, surrounded by the people we love.
“Mancunians of all ages love a party, and this New Year’s Eve is going to be fantastic – a chance to dance the night away, with one of the biggest fireworks displays in the region for everyone to enjoy.
“All you need is your dancing shoes, party spirit and your nearest and dearest. Grab hold of those and we can’t wait to see you in St Peter’s Square for the last party of 2024.”
Spectacular New Year’s Eve firework display confirmed for Manchester. Credit: Unsplash, designecologist
There are a few things you need to know ahead of the event – attendees are asked to limit bag sizes to no larger than A4 in size, with bag searches in operation at the entrances.
It will be a standing room only event though there’ll be a managed designated accessible viewing area located on the Metrolink tram platform closest to Central Library, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Portaloos, public toilets until 1am, and hot drinks and food will all be available on site.
Event staff will make sure St Peter’s Square is cleared promptly after the event and once the fireworks are over to minimise disruption to local residents.
Councillor Pat Karney added: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy New Year’s Eve, including the growing number of local residents who live in town.
“I will therefore be working closely with local councillors and others to ensure that we minimise any nuisance for city centre residents.”
Important road closures and event information for the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Manchester
A number of temporary but necessary traffic management measures will be put in place in the run-up to and on the day itself so the event can go ahead.
Road closures – 31 December 2024
7.30pm–2am
Peter Street westbound (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
Peter Street eastbound (Deansgate to Lower Mosley Street)
Oxford Street (Peter Street to Portland Street)
George Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
St James Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
Bale Street (Lower Mosley Street to Hall Street)
Hall Street (Bale Street to Oxford Street)
9pm–2am
Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)
Parking suspensions from 8am on 29 December until 6am on 2 January
Peter Street (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
Parking suspensions from 6pm on 30 December until 6am on 1 January
Oxford Street (Lower Mosley Street to Portland Street)
Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
George Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street)
Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)
Museum Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
Southmill (Windmill Street to Bootle Street)
Accessible parking
Unreserved accessible event parking is available on Mount Street.
Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree
Daisy Jackson
A man has been charged for a series of burglaries in Wigan – one of which saw him nick the ingredients for a Christmas dinner.
Gary Marsh of Heath Street in Golborne had reportedly taken a number of festive food items from a freezer at an address.
In the burglary on 7 December, the 38-year-old took items including a frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets and a handful of Christmas appetisers.
Mr Walsh also made off with a pack of prawns, spring rolls and chicken satay skewers.
Police have said he has been charged for stealing ‘a Christmas dinner worth of goods’.
He’s been charged with six counts of burglary and one vehicle interference and will appear at Manchester Magistrates Court today.
Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
GMP said in a statement today: “One frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets and a handful of Christmas appetisers.
“Gary Marsh 16/05/1986 of Heath Street, Golborne, in Wigan, was charged on Wednesday 18 December with six counts of burglary and one vehicle interference.
“On 7 December 2024, the following items were reportedly taken from the freezer in the basement of an address: a frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets, a pack of prawns, spring rolls and chicken satay skewers.”
Emily Sergeant -
17th February 2023 
