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The officers were recently seen in the River Wyre, near where Bulley's phone was found. February: Body found in River Wyre identified as missing mother Nicola Bulley Police revealed why officers returned to the scene of Nicola Bulley's disappearance this week and criticized "misinformed speculation" about a renewed officer presence at the River Wyre.
A Lancashire Police dive team was recently seen in the water downriver from where police believe Ms Bulley, 45, entered the river at St Michael's on Wyre on January 27.
In a short clip uploaded to YouTube by bystander Maria Solarz, the team can be seen wading through the water near the bank where Ms Bulley's phone and dog were found on the morning of her disappearance.
Police were filmed at the River Wyre last week.
Divers returned to the site six weeks after the dog walker's body was found in the water following an extensive search operation that led officers to Morecambe Bay. Lancashire Police said in a statement: "We can confirm that we are carrying out work under the direction of HM Coroner."
But on Friday the force issued a new statement, criticizing "speculation" surrounding the case and revealing why they had returned.
A spokesman said: "There has been misinformed speculation in recent days about police activity on the River Wyre."
“As previously reported, the police divers were acting under the direction of HM Senior Forensics and were asked to assess the river banks in the vicinity of where Nicola Bulley disappeared.
Bulley's body was found on February 19.
“They had not received instructions to carry out further searches in the river or along the banks or to locate any items. This activity is intended to help the coronary process.
Her Majesty's supervising coroner, Dr James Adeley, said: "Speculation about the role and purpose of officers acting on my instructions is not helpful in resolving this investigation."
An inquest into the death of Ms Bulley will be held on June 26. Dr Adeley said at the opening of the inquest that surgeon Andrew Ian Edwards had reviewed Ms Bulley's dental records and that the evidence gathered by police and the autopsy required "further evaluation".
Bulley, a mother of two who worked as a mortgage adviser, was last seen walking her dog along the River Wyre after dropping her daughters off at a nearby school.
Her mobile phone was found on a bench near the riverbank, still connected to a Microsoft Teams work call, with her dog Willow on the loose.
A major police operation ensued as the search for Mrs Bulley drew intense national attention, before police finally announced that a body had been discovered in the reeds and undergrowth of the River Wyre on 19 February.
During the search, officers urged the public not to speculate online about how Ms Bulley might have disappeared. Superintendent Sally Riley said online theories are "distracting" the police search.
Lancashire Police have come under heavy criticism for revealing highly personal details about the missing woman, including her struggle with alcohol. The force has also faced questions from former officers and forensic experts about why the search took so long.
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Nicola Bulley's body was found in February after a high-profile appeal
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