Nicola Bulley cops reveal ‘significant issues’ with alcohol & menopause had caused partner Paul Ansell ‘real challenges’

COPS have revealed that missing mum Nicola Bulley's "issues with alcohol" caused her partner "real challenges".

The dog walker, 45, disappeared after dropping her children off at school in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, on Friday January 27.

Since then there has been no trace of the mum-of-two, leaving her family in agony despite extensive searches.

But detectives yesterday gave further insight into their colossal investigation into her disappearance.

In a statement on February 15, cops revealed that she had been classed as a "high risk" missing person due to "vulnerabilities" identified by her partner.

They added that revealing these "vulnerabilities" were an "unusual" but necessary step.

They revealed she had “in the past suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause”. 

And they told of the problems this had caused her boyfriend Paul Ansell.

They wrote: “Sadly, it is clear from speaking to Paul and the family that Nicola had in the past suffered with some significant issues with alcohol which were brought on by her ongoing struggles with the menopause and that these struggles had resurfaced over recent months. 

“This caused some real challenges for Paul and the family.

“As a result of those issues, a response car staffed by both police and health professionals attended a report of concern for welfare at Nicola’s home address on January 10. 

“No one has been arrested in relation to this incident, but it is being investigated.

“It is an unusual step for us to take to go into this level of detail about someone’s private life, but we felt it was important to clarify what we meant when we talked about vulnerabilities to avoid any further speculation or misinterpretation.”

It comes as...

• Police reveal officers were called to the family home just weeks before Nicola went missing
• Detectives revealed in a press conference they are investigating three possible scenarios over her disappearance
• But cops insisted there is still no suggestion of a third party being involved
• Police are now taking over her social media accounts as part of the investigation
• Follow our blog for the latest news

It comes as Brits have slammed the police as “disgusting and misogynistic” for revealing the sensitive and private information.

One wrote: “Police have given the information about Mrs Nicola Bulley's lifestyle and really cops should not have put it out there!

“That she had an issue with the alcohol and that for sure! Disgusting of the police to say that alcohol was misused!”

Another fumed: “Why do I need to know that a missing woman had difficulty with alcohol and symptoms related to the menopause? Highly personal details.”

A third added: “They are really out here pushing the menopause/alcohol line with Nicola Bulley aren’t they? Vile!”

Broadcaster Fern Britton, 65, also blasted police for creating an “undertone” around the search

She said in a tweet: ”I am uncomfortable with the latest news suggesting that Nicola Bulley has an issue with alcohol and menopause.

“The undertone is that she maybe ‘a bit unstable’ or perhaps even ‘not in her right mind.’ Too easy to write a woman off like this. What lies behind it?”