Nicola Bulley’s family say her menopause battle ’caused this crisis’ after cops revealed ‘vulnerabilities’

NICOLA Bulley's family have today broken their silence after cops working on her case received backlash for deeming her "high risk".

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 despite extensive searches, leaving her family in agony.

And the mum's family today issued a statement from police - begging for the public to "focus on finding her".

It comes as...

• Police have been slammed for "destroying" Nicola Bulley's reputation
• Cops reveal ‘significant issues’ with alcohol & menopause had caused partner Paul Ansell ‘real challenges’
• Police reveal officers were called to the family home just weeks before Nicola went missing
• Follow our blog for the latest news

In the family statement, they said: "The police know the truth about Nikki and now the public need to focus on finding her.

"Due to the peri menopause Nikki suffered with significant side effects such as brain fog, restless sleep and was taking HRT to help but this was giving her intense headaches which caused Nikki to stop taking the HRT thinking that may have helped her but only ended up causing this crisis."

Yesterday cops said the mum-of-two had "significant issues with alcohol" as a result of menopause.

They also revealed they'd been called to the family's home after "a report of concern for welfare" just weeks before Nicola vanished.

Cops came under fire for sharing the personal details.

But Nicola's family said they had known beforehand that the police would be sharing the details.

The statement read: "As a family, we were aware that Lancashire Police, last night, released a statement with some personal details.

"Although we know that Nikki would not have wanted this, there are people out there speculating."

And in a heartbreaking plea, the family called Nikki a "wonderful daughter, sister, partner and mother".

The family also begged the mum-of-two to come home to her daughters for a "cuddle".

They said: "Nikki, we hope you are reading this and know that we love you so much and your girls want a cuddle.

"We all need you home."

It comes after cops have been slammed by many for "destroying" the mum's reputation.

Broadcaster Fern Britton, 65, 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?”

Labour MP for Walthamstow Stella Creasy also questioned the cops' decision to publicly reveal the details.

She tweeted: "The decision to disclose this level of detail on a missing person's private life, with no evidence that this is assisting in finding her, is deeply troubling.

"The police need to be much clearer as to why any of this helps find Nicola Bulley or support this investigation."

Pals of Nicola have shared their fury, too.

School-run parent Nadia Fell took to Facebook and called the police "bang out of order".

She also wrote: "I'm absolutely furious."

Another friend Ann Hodge shared her "frustration" and commented: "Couldn't agree more."

The feeling was shared by Mark Williams-Thomas.

The former police officer turned investigative journalist, who helped expose Jimmy Savile's crimes, is said to now be probing Nicola's disappearance.

He criticised the police on Twitter saying if police had "dealt with high-risk status at [the] start" it would have lead to less confusion, public hysteria, and media involvement.

Mark also said it would have "led to less damage" for her family, "who are right now after y/day in a terrible place".