A “proper investigation” is still needed in the shock disappearance of Nicola Bulley says Newsquest’s group investigations editor and former police detective, Mark Williams-Thomas.

Search teams from Lancashire Constabulary are continuing to trawl the River Wyre near St Michael’s, working on the hypothesis that the 45-year-old mortgage adviser, from nearby Inskip, could have fallen in.

However, Williams-Thomas has shed doubt on this theory, suggesting that the police still need to work to find “clear evidence, clear words and proper investigation.”

Nicola Bulley was last seen on January 27

Police believe Ms Bulley went missing in just “a 10-minute window” while she was walking her dog, Willow, close to the River Wyre, after dropping off her daughters – aged six and nine – at school.

Ms Bulley had logged in to a Microsoft Teams call at 9.01am, which ended at 9.30am with her phone still connected to the call.

@truecrimenq Nicola Bulley Podcast by @Mark Williams-Thomas tomorrow. Link in bio. #missingperson #missingpeople #ukpolice #nicolabulley #journalism #policeevide ♬ original sound - True Crime Newsquest

She was seen by another dog walker at 9.10am – the last known sighting – and police traced telephone records of her mobile phone as it remained on a bench overlooking the river at 9.20am.

The device was found by a dog walker at around 9.35am, with Willow nearby.

Williams-Thomas said: “Until you’re certain, keep everything open in terms of what you’re looking for.”

He added: “Let's get the experts to do the water so that we know definitively she hasn’t been in there.”

Comments underneath the video supported his views. One wrote: "I completely agree with you. This woman did not just vanish!"

A private underwater rescue team is reportedly set to assist police in their search for missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley.

In the latest update on February 6, Lancashire Constabulary said: "Our enquiries so far have included searches of the river and riverbank which have extended all the way to the sea using specialist search teams, sonar, search dogs, drone and helicopter, house to house and CCTV. We have also spoken to numerous witnesses, analysed Nicola’s mobile phone and fitbit and searched the derelict house on the other side of the river as well as any empty caravans in the vicinity. 

"We have received a huge amount of information into the enquiry, all of which is being looked at, and we are extremely grateful to everyone who has assisted our investigation so far.

"We would like to remind people that much of the speculation and comments on social media are both unhelpful to the investigation and, more importantly, hurtful for the family, who are going through agony as they wait for answers."

Lancashire Constabulary has been contacted for further comment.