Police who were searching for missing mum Rachel Booth will avoid repeating a mistake made during Nicola Bulley’s case, a former Scotland Yard detective has said. Peter Bleksley said the way Lancashire Police handled the media during the search for Ms Bulley was “absolutely lamentable”.
He told the Express: “The handling of information in Nicola Bulley‘s case and the way the police dealt with the media were absolutely lamentable and shown to be at fault. [Lancashire Police] lost control of the narrative and almost created a void which was filled by speculation, gossip and rumour, some of which was malicious and hurtful.
“I’m sure Cheshire Police is doing everything it can to ensure that appalling situation is not replicated here.” Lancashire Police declined to comment.
Ms Bulley went missing in January 2023 while walking her dog on the River Wyre. Her body was found in February of the same year. An inquest found she died accidentally by drowning.
Among its findings, a review by the College of Policing found Ms Bulley’s case posed an “unusually challenging” set of circumstances for Lancashire Police, with “unprecedented” levels of media and social media interest.
It found that while the investigation into Ms Bulley’s disappearance was of a “very high” standard, failure to brief the mainstream media on certain elements of the case had allowed speculation to “run unchecked”, fuelling public interest.
A decision by Lancashire Police to release personal details about Ms Bulley was found to be “avoidable and unnecessary”.
Mr Bleksley suggested the closure of a water park linked to Ms Booth’s disappearance was an attempt by police to keep amateur sleuths away from a search area.
Speaking before a body was found on Monday afternoon, he said: “Clearly, that has been done to deter would-be armchair detectives. [Cheshire Police] don’t want another Nicola Bulley situation where members of the public fuel speculation and post theories on social media, which would be harmful for those who know and love Rachel.
“I’m sure we’re seeing lessons learned from Nicola Bulley’s tragic case, particularly with regards the closing of the water park. [The police] don’t want a repeat of January and February 2023.”
Ms Booth, 38, from Barnton, near Northwich in Cheshire, was reported missing in the early hours of Saturday. Reports emerged at lunchtime on Monday (July 21) that a body had been found.
The mother-of-three was last seen at a garage in Sandiway at 3.50am, where she was captured on CCTV going into the store. She is believed to have travelled to the Oakmere area of Delamere.
Two underwater search units were seen arriving at the Delamere Lake holiday park, next to Wild Shore Delamere water park, on Monday morning (July 21).
An incident command unit and a police dogs vehicle were also at the scene while the entrance to Wild Shore was cordoned off. Police tape was across a road in the holiday park leading to a lake area.
Cheshire Police posted an appeal for help to trace Ms Booth just before 2pm on Saturday. The force renewed its appeal around the same time on Sunday (July 20).
Supt Paul Hughes said in the second appeal police were following a number of inquiries to trace Ms Booth and were becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare.
He said as part of the investigation, officers and partner agencies, including the Underwater Search Team and Cheshire Search and Rescue, were making enquiries in the Oakmere and surrounding areas where it was believed Ms Booth had travelled to
Mr Hughes thanked local businesses for their patience and understanding while the enquiries were ongoing.