Police have criticised online sleuths spreading false information about the disappearance of Nicola Bulley, saying rumours are “distracting” officers investigating the case.

Speaking at a press conference in Lancashire Police headquarters today, officers debunked several “persistent myths” that have gone viral on social media since Nicola Bulley went missing whilst walking her dog on 27 January.

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Lawson said no evidence of a crime has been found as he criticised “ill-informed speculation”.

Questioned about the interest in the case from amateur sleuths and social media users, Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith said officers are being “inundated with false information, accusations and rumours” about Ms Bulley’s disappearance which are “distracting” them.

“In 29 years’ police service I’ve never seen anything like it. Some of it’s been quite shocking and really hurtful to the family,” she said.

“That is potentially damaging to the investigation, the community of St Michael’s and, most importantly, Nicola’s family,” Mr Lawson said.

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Here are the rumours Lancashire Police debunked today.

The derelict house

Police said today “the derelict house which is across the other side of the river has been searched three times with the permission of the owner and Nicola is not in there”.

Officers had warned members of the public last week not to “take the law into their own hands” and said it “will not tolerate” people breaking into empty derelict riverside properties.

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The red van

Detectives assured people that they are “really grateful to members of the public for ringing into the inquiry”, without whom they “wouldn’t have got this far without”.

But they said reports of a red van in the area on the morning of Ms Bulley’s disappearance are not being treated as suspicious, although they are continuing to track down the driver.

A 55-year-old witness told the Times she reported a “tatty red van in Hall Lane outside a barn” after Nicola disappeared.

The “stained” glove

Newspapers reported this week that a “stained” blue glove found yards from where she disappeared was given to police.

Detectives also referenced users of the video-sharing app TikTok who “have been playing their own private detectives and have been in the area” searching for the glove.

Police today said the glove recovered “is not believed to be relevant to the investigation [and] it is not Nicola’s”. The officers did confirm that the glove is with police investigators.

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