Exclusive

Detectives searching for missing Gaynor Lord call in Nicola Bulley cops

13 December 2023, 17:57 | Updated: 14 December 2023, 13:25

Norfolk Police have been in contact with the force who worked on the Nicola Bulley case.
Norfolk Police have been in contact with the force who worked on the Nicola Bulley case. Picture: Alamy/Norfolk Police

By Jenny Medlicott

Police searching for missing mother Gaynor Lord have been in contact with the force who worked on the Nicola Bulley case to 'understand any of the lessons learned'.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Ms Lord, 55, has been missing since Friday 8 December.

Search operations have been underway to locate the 55-year-old since her disappearance five days ago.

Police in Norwich said they have been in contact with Lancashire Police, which worked on the widely-criticised case of Nicola Bulley, who went missing for three weeks and then was found dead, to ensure they leave "no stone unturned".

For all the latest developments on the hunt for Gaynor Lord check out our live blog.

Ms Bulley, 45, a mother-of-two, was found in the River Wyre on February 19, about a mile from where she vanished, while walking her dog in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, on January 27.

Asked about the parallels between Ms Lord’s disappearance and Nicola Bulley’s, Norwich Policing Commander Superintendent Wes Hornigold told LBC: “We will absolutely, and have been, linking in with Lancashire Constabulary to understand any of the lessons learned from that inquiry.

“We’ve already had meetings with the National Crime Agency in terms of understanding any specific skills and knowledge in respect to water searching.

“We’re cognisant of the recent College of Policing report into the Lancashire inquiry, so we’re leaving no stone unturned and making sure we’re doing everything within our power to find Gaynor as quickly as possible.”

Read more: Gaynor Lord: Timeline of missing mum's disappearance as CCTV of last known movements released

Read more: Missing Gaynor Lord seen on CCTV smiling as she left work before hurrying through Norwich - as divers join search

Read more: Six clues Gaynor Lord left behind, as police search for missing Norwich mum, and children urge her to come home

An image of Gaynor Lord leaving work on Friday before her disappearance.
An image of Gaynor Lord leaving work on Friday before her disappearance. Picture: Norfolk Police

Lancashire Police was not aware of any contact from their counterparts in Norwich when contacted by LBC on Wednesday evening.

Supt Hornigold said: “We’ll work methodically through the evidence…we’ll continue to be open-minded but ultimately, as I’ve described, the hypothesis at the moment is that Gaynor has entered the water”.

A review was commissioned by the College of Policing to examine the effectiveness of Lancashire Police’s response during the Nicola Bulley case, which saw unprecedented levels of mainstream and social media interest.

Gaynor Lord finished work at 2.45pm on Friday, despite not being due to leave until 4pm.

Norfolk Police released footage on Wednesday of the final moments Ms Lord was seen before her disappearance.

In it, she is seen hurrying through Norwich town centre, even crossing the road while the traffic lights are on green.

She is then seen putting on her coat as she walks near Wensum park. Ms Lord’s coat was found in the park near the River Wensum.

Ms Lord had been working at the Bullards Gin Counter, in the basement at Jarrold department store when she went missing, police revealed today.

A picture taken of Ms Lord smiling as she left work was also released on Wednesday.

Police have ruled out any third-person involvement in her disappearance.

A member of Ms Lord’s family criticised internet sleuths on Wednesday for sharing theories about the 55-year-old’s disappearance.

The family member, who asked to remain anonymous, told the MailOnline: “There's been lots of things being said, like ''Has she run away with anybody?'' and things like that.

“It's not very helpful. It's hard enough as it is.”

Gaynor Lord hurrying through Norwich town centre.
Gaynor Lord hurrying through Norwich town centre. Picture: Norfolk Police

Police have said the 55-year-old's disappearance is "out of character" and Wensum Park has been closed since Saturday.

Gaynor is described as white, 5 ft 6 tall, and was wearing a white shirt and yellow tank top with a large olive-coloured coat over the top and a scarf. She has blonde shoulder-length hair in a bob.

Norwich Policing Commander, Superintendent Wes Hornigold, said: “Today we are releasing the footage of Gaynor’s last known steps on Friday afternoon before she went missing.

"We hope this will help to jog the memory of anyone who may have seen her in the city that afternoon or who may have footage of her journey.

"We are particularly keen on hearing from anyone who may have seen Gaynor in the cathedral grounds which she enters at 2.50pm and leaves at 3.23pm.

"It’s not clear where she goes inside the cathedral grounds during this time so we’re keen to hear from anyone who may have seen her there.

“We are continuing our extensive searches but would appeal to the public to come forward with any information which may help to find Gaynor.

“In the footage you can clearly see what she was wearing when she went missing. This is a particularly stressful time for her family and specialist officers continue to provide support.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

King Charles performs a Hongi, a traditional Maori greeting, with Mere Takoko

King Charles shares traditional Maori nose rub greeting with activist as he launches environmental charity

Putin issued a chilling threat to the West as he confirmed Russia launched a ballistic missile against Ukraine

Putin issues chilling warning to UK and US as he confirms Russia hit Ukraine with new 'experimental' ballistic missile

Telegraph writer Allison Pearson.

Police drop investigation into journalist Allison Pearson over tweet - as review to be launched over handling of case

Exclusive
Angela Rayner has paid tribute to John Prescott

Angela Rayner says John Prescott 'used to call her after PMQs to remind her to stay true to who she is'

Four men have been arrested accused of attempting to rob a mobile phone store

Undercover police arrest four men after EE shop raided by masked gang

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump Watches SpaceX Launch Its Sixth Test Flight Of Starship Spacecraft

Elon Musk pledges to fire civil servants who work from home

Seven-month-old baby mauled to death by family dog after leaning on animal while crawling, inquest hears

Seven-month-old baby mauled to death by family dog sustained 'catastrophic' injuries after leaning on pet, inquest hears

Starmer has backed the International Criminal Court over its arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Starmer backs International Criminal Court after it issues arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu

Five men charged over smuggling of migrants from UK to France in lorries

Five men charged over smuggling of migrants from UK to France in lorries following dawn raids

Rhiannon Skye Whyte was stabbed to death in Walsall

South Sudanese teen accused of murdering asylum seeker hotel worker with screwdriver 'refuses to appear in court'

Will Guyatt questions who is responsible for the safety of children online

Are Zuckerberg and Musk responsible for looking after my kids online?

Simone White has died following a poisoning with alcoholic drinks at a bar in Loas

British lawyer, 28, dies following suspected mass methanol poisoning at bar in Laos

Russia has claimed that Britain is directly involved in the war in Ukraine

Britain now 'directly involved in war in Ukraine', Russian ambassador to UK says

Finlay MacDonald is accused of trying to murder his wife Rowena

Jealous husband 'murdered brother-in-law and tried to kill wife' after finding text saying she planned to leave him

Teenager jailed for least 22 years after fatally stabbing motorbike enthusiast who named attacker in dying breath

Teenager jailed for at least 22 years after fatally stabbing motorbike enthusiast who named attacker in dying breath