Man, 34, arrested ‘for filming inside police cordon’ on day Nicola Bulley’s body found in river
COPS have arrested a man over footage shot from inside a police cordon on the day Nicola Bulley’s body was found.
The 34-year-old from Kidderminster, Worcestershire, was arrested on suspicion of malicious communications offences and perverting the course of justice.
A police spokesperson said: “The arrest relates to footage taken from inside a police cordon on February 19.
“The man was held on Wednesday morning with assistance from West Mercia Police, and has since been released on bail with conditions.
“Our priority is, and has always been, to support Nicola’s family and the wider community in St Michael’s.
“We hope this arrest provides reassurance that we take concerns seriously and will act on them.”
Nicola’s disappearance sparked a mystery after her mobile was found on a bench still connected to a work conference call.
Nicola’s pet springer spaniel Willow was also found – but there was no trace still of the mum-of-two.
Her disappearance sparked a huge amount of speculation online with web sleuths flocking to the area she was last seen in an attempt to crack the case.
Lancashire Police were forced to ask people not to “take the law into their own hands” and risk “thwarting” the investigation.
Amateur detectives were warned against abusing witnesses or attempting to break into empty buildings as it was distracting detectives and risked prosecution.
The week before she was found officers issued a 48-hour dispersal order amid reports that groups were filming videos outside homes in the missing mum’s village.
On Sunday, February 20, Police searching for Nicola confirmed a body had been found less than a mile from where she was last seen more than three weeks ago.
The tragic discovery came after police confirmed Nicola was treated as a high-risk missing person when she disappeared.
The force revealed Nicola had “vulnerabilities” at the time she went missing they were made aware of by partner Paul Ansell and her family.
These included “significant issues with alcohol” in the past that were brought on by her “ongoing struggles with the menopause”.