Nicola Bulley: Two arrested for malicious communication

Lancashire Police said they received reports over the weekend of messages being sent to Wyre Council members.

A 49-year-old man from Manchester and a 20-year-old woman from Oldham have been arrested on suspicion of malicious communications offences.

The man was released on bail pending further investigation until May 12, while the woman remains in custody.

On Monday, Wyre Council removed council members’ contact details from its website due to “inappropriate emails and phone calls” about Ms Bulley’s disappearance.

It said it had temporarily removed contact details for “Community and City Council members” after Lancashire Police confirmed their investigation.

Wyre Council leader Michael Vincent said: “We appreciate the emotional seriousness of the situation; However, we do not tolerate any form of abuse of any of our elected members of Wyre Borough Council or any of the local councils within our borders or our staff.

“The community has shown great strength and resilience throughout the investigation and we urge everyone to continue to show compassion and empathy.

“It is a shame that we have had to take this step at such a difficult time and that appropriate steps are being taken to ensure residents can continue to contact their elected representatives.”

The council added: “Wyre Council will keep a log of all reports of abuse and will forward these to the police. Please be respectful.”

Chief Executive Garry Payne said: “Everyone is deeply saddened by the ongoing Nicola Bulley case and our thoughts are with family and friends.

“We support Lancashire Police when necessary and urge everyone to remain respectful at this time.”

A spokesman for the force said: “We received reports over the weekend of a number of malicious messages being sent to members of the Wyre Council.

“Investigations led to the arrest of a 49-year-old man from Manchester on suspicion of malicious communications offences. He has since been released on bail until May 12 pending further investigation.

“A 20-year-old woman from Oldham has also been arrested on suspicion of malicious communications offenses and remains in police custody. Investigations ongoing.”

Ms Bulley, 45, disappeared in the village of St Michael’s on Wyre on January 27 while out walking her springer spaniel Willow after dropping her two daughters, aged six and nine, at school.

She has not been seen since then.

Police believe the mortgage adviser fell into the River Wyre in a “10 minute window” between 9:10am and 9:20am that day.

The search for her continues and on Thursday detectives extended her to the sea after saying finding her there “is becoming more likely”.