Police Step Up River Wyre Search for Missing Nicola
Police are scouring the River Wyre and surrounding coastline, pulling out all the stops in the desperate hunt for Nicola. Over 40 detectives are on the case, trawling through hundreds of hours of CCTV, dashcam footage, and witness statements. They’ve also consulted top environmental and tidal experts to aid the search.
The Hunt So Far: Massive Police Effort Underway
- More than 300 premises visited.
- Nearly 300 people interviewed.
- Over 1,500 pieces of public information investigated.
- Search efforts include underwater teams, drones, horses, sniffer dogs, and police helicopters.
The investigation has tightened the timeline of Nicola’s last known movements. She was spotted in an upper field at 9:10am, with her phone found on a nearby bench around 9:20am. A local dog walker found her dog Willow running free at 9:33am, with the dog’s harness and lead found between the bench and the river.
Nicola’s Vulnerabilities and Family Support
Nicola, 45, was reported missing at 11am on January 27 and was immediately classified as high-risk due to vulnerabilities. Police revealed she struggled with alcohol issues linked to menopause, which had resurfaced in recent months, creating challenges for her family.
“Our thoughts remain with Nicola’s family. Specially trained officers are providing them daily updates and support,” said Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith.
Last month, police and health professionals responded to a welfare concern at Nicola’s home. No arrests have been made, but the incident is under investigation.
Urgent Appeal for Information
Nicola is described as white, 5ft 3in, with light brown shoulder-length hair tied in a ponytail, and speaks with an Essex accent. She was last seen wearing a black knee-length quilted gilet with a hood, a black waist-length coat, tight black jeans, long green walking socks, and size 5 green ankle Wellington boots from Next. She also wore a pale blue Fitbit.
Police urge anyone with information or footage to come forward via the Major Incident Public Portal.
Authorities stress that rumours about a red van seen in the area are being investigated but caution against speculation that could hinder the enquiry. The investigation remains open-minded but evidence so far suggests Nicola likely fell into the river.
The public are urged to respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time and to avoid unhelpful speculation.
