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Fury as Nicola Bulley TikTok sleuths dig up woodland near where mum vanished as ex-cop blasts their ‘toxic behaviour’
TIKTOK sleuths have sparked fury after digging up woodland in their hunt for missing mum Nicola Bulley.
The armchair detectives interfering in the case have been slammed by an ex-cop over their "toxic behaviour".
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One filmed himself digging up areas of woodland believed to be near where Nicola went missing over three weeks ago.
The video shows the man - dressed in a dark puffer jacket with spade in hand - digging shallow holes in the mud in an aimless search effort.
Former police and crime commissioner Martyn Underhill blasted social media investigators for spreading "misleading theories".
He told : "This is the first missing persons case that’s seen these levels of toxic behaviour on social media.
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"It exceeds anything that happened in other cases, such as that of Sarah Everard.
"My fear is it will set a precedent for future cases, with TikTok detectives descending on the scene with their speculation and misleading theories."
He added that Lancashire Police are at fault for "not setting the media agenda" and allowing speculation over the case.
Mr Underhill explained: "Social media detectives stepped into the vacuum of information left by Lancashire police.
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"Police will have to change the way they conduct similar investigations to take social media into account."
It comes amid tension over the involvement of so-called sleuths' wild theories about Nicola's disappearance running rampant online.
One influencer was arrested and charged with a public order offence after a confrontation with a local last week.
Meanwhile, local cops have been under increasing scrutiny over their handling of the case, with criticism from experts, commentators and politicians.
In a statement on February 15, Lancashire Police revealed that Nicola had been categorised as a high risk missing person due to her "vulnerabilities".
They explained that these included "significant issues with alcohol" brought about by her struggles with the menopause.
Cops also stated that officers had attended her family home just weeks before her disappearance.
The disclosures sparked outrage, with Mr Underhill saying they could "destroy" Nicola's reputation, while one pal of hers accused police of trying to "shift focus" from their own failings.
Lancashire Constabulary has launched its own internal probe into the matter, as well as referring itself to the independent police watchdog and being called in to explain the decision to the Home Secretary.
Nicola was last seen close to the River Wyre on January 27 with her springer spaniel Willow.
Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith confirmed that the force's "main working hypothesis" remains that Nicola fell in the river.
But she revealed two other theories for her disappearance - Nicola leaving the area voluntarily and third party involvement.
DS Smith said: "There is not a single piece of information or evidence to suggest there is any third-party involvement."
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There is also nothing to suggest Nicola left the field voluntarily.
Asked if she hoped to find her alive, DS Smith said: "I hope with all my heart that we find Nicola Bulley alive more than anything."
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