Water search expert caused challenges to Nicola Bulley investigation

Peter Faulding, of private underwater search and recovery company Specialist Group International (Danny Lawson/PA)

The role of underwater search expert Peter Faulding was examined in the review of the police handling of missing Nicola Bulley.

The College of Policing report said Lancashire Police felt some of his behaviour and activities “caused challenges to the investigation”.

Mr Faulding, leader of underwater search experts Specialist Group International (SGI), told media that police had “low-tech” diving equipment, unlikely to be able to find a body.

Nicola Bulley inquest — Nicola Bulley drowned after accidentally falling into the River Wyre in St Michael’s, Lancashire, on January 27 (Handout/PA)

Ms Bulley’s family became aware of this report and efforts were made to contact SGI to help the search and to ask police to get SGI involved.

But police investigators were advised that SGI did not have any better equipment that could not be secured by the force.

However, communication by Ms Bulley’s family friend to police expressed a “strong message that refusal to use Mr Faulding and SGI” would result in a “negative press release to the media”.

The report said Lancashire Constabulary felt it was placed in an unenviable situation, which would lead to a widespread negative perception that the force was not using every opportunity to locate Ms Bulley, the report said.

Nicola Bulley missing — Workers from Specialist Group International, including Peter Faulding (right), used sonar to search for Nicola Bulley (PA)

Lancashire Constabulary felt that this would undermine public trust and confidence and, therefore, subsequently agreed to allow the use of SGI to support them in their search efforts and contacted Mr Faulding, who offered his services free of charge.

A chief inspector then met Mr Faulding to offer “suitable, robust advice about the information he is passing to the media – unhelpful to the investigation, the family and wider community”.

The review said Lancashire Police appeared to present him with a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) not to discuss the search with anyone outside the investigation.

But SGI responded that no “official” NDA had been discussed or signed and, in fact, Mr Faulding and his team felt “ambushed” by the press and had no support from police so assumed his involvement with the media was “within the terms of engagement”.

Mr Faulding told the report authors that he was not advised or supported with any media guidance by Lancashire Constabulary, that he did not receive any instruction not to engage with press.

The report said Mr Faulding had also informed the Bulley family that he thought he had identified a body deposition site (the location or believed location site of a deceased body).

As part of the review, Lancashire Constabulary suggested this had caused unwarranted distress and false alarm and resulted in the diversion of police resources to the family to remedy the situation.

The report continues: “It is the view of Lancashire Constabulary that Mr Faulding had a significant impact on the investigation and public confidence through his activities and his engagement with the media.

“The review team considers that some of his actions created a more challenging environment for the investigation team.

“His public statements often contradicted the investigative and operational approach, leading to confusion for the public and reducing the family’s trust in the investigation and search operation.”

Mr Faulding and SGI have been contacted for comment.