Police have issued a dispersal order to keep members of the public away from sensitive search areas related to the disappearance of the Lancashire mother Nicola Bulley.
Lancashire police took the highly unusual step of issuing the blanket ban around the village of St Michael’s on Wyre after people travelled to the area to reportedly search an abandoned house.
The force said: “We can confirm a dispersal order was issued around 8.40pm yesterday in St Michael’s on Wyre.
Nicola Bulley went missing two weeks ago
Handout
“This followed reports of individuals – from outside the area of St Michael’s – filming on social media close to properties.
“The order will remain in place for 48 hours and gives officers the power to disperse anyone committing anti-social behaviour.
“Two dispersal notices were issued, and a number of other people were warned about their behaviour.”
The force added that it would “not tolerate criminality, including trespass and criminal damage”.
Police said they were also investigating a number of “grossly offensive comments” made on social media and elsewhere relating to the case.
A force spokesperson said: “We are looking into these and will not hesitate to take action where appropriate.”
The dispersal order lasts for 48 hours
Danny Lawson
Police are continuing searches of the wider area, concentrating around the River Wyre, down towards Morecambe Bay.
Police have been working on the theory that Nicola fell into river when she was out walking her dog on 27 January.
A search earlier this week by a specialist team of civilian investigators brought in by Nicola’s family has not been able to provide any trace of her. Forensic expert Peter Faulding said he was convinced that Nicola’s body was not in the river around the area of the original search.
