Underwater specialists involved in Nicola Bulley search removed from national expert list
Peter Faulding's Surrey based company Specialist Group International spent three days searching the River Wyre in Lancashire
Last updated 25th Feb 2023
A private company who were involved in the search for missing Lancashire mum Nicola Bulley has been removed from a national list of experts.
Peter Faulding's Specialist Group International, which is based in Dorking in Surrey, spent three days searching the River Wyre earlier this month.
The company's been suspended from the National Crime Agency's experts pending a review.
In a statement the National Crime Agency said:
“The NCA does not employ, endorse or accredit experts on our adviser database. The database is subject to continual review and its purpose is to maintain a list of expertise UK law enforcement can draw upon when required.
"We proactively seek feedback from customers regarding experts’ performance and contribution. The monitoring of performance equally applies to individuals and organisations who become involved in investigations without NCA engagement.”
We've asked Specialist Group International for a response to the announcement.
Nicola's body was found in the village of St Michael's last weekend, where she first disappeared on Friday 27th January.
This coming Monday marks a month since the 45 year old mum-of-two's disappearance.
Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner has asked the College of Policing to investigate the force's handling of the investigation into Nicola's disappearance.
The review overrides the previously announced internal investigation by Lancashire Constabulary.
Earlier this week, Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden said:
"The public understandably feel that there remain questions about the handling of elements of the police investigation, how it was communicated, and the decision to release personal information, which need to be answered and explained.
"In my role as Commissioner, as the public's voice in policing in Lancashire, I also need to put in place the appropriate scrutiny to seek the right assurances and to ensure I am effectively holding the Constabulary to account.
"I am sure there will be lessons to be learned for Lancashire Constabulary, the broader policing sector and others from this case, as there are from most major investigations and I will keep the public informed of the findings in due course."
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