Video: Police launch help scheme for people with dementia who go missing

Nottinghamshire Police has announced the introduction of an initiative to help find vulnerable people, such as dementia sufferers, if they go missing.

The Herbert Protocol, a national scheme, involves a downloadable form for families or carers to fill in - in the event that their loved one or the person they care for ever goes missing.

It is designed to help police locate the person as soon as possible and avoids putting families through the stress of having to answer questions from police at an incredibly distressing and worrying tim

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A police spokesman said: “Do you know or care for someone with dementia? If so, this form could help you.

“If your loved one goes missing we want to make sure we have all of the information we need, as quickly as possible, and this form can help us do that.”

The Herbert Protocol is a national scheme, first introduced by West Yorkshire Police, which encourages carers to compile useful information which could be used in the event of a vulnerable person going missing. The initiative is named after George Herbert, a War veteran of the Normandy landings, who lived with dementia.

Carers, family members and friends can complete in advance, a form recording all vital details, such as medication required, mobile numbers, places previously located, a photograph etc. In the event of your family member or friend going missing, the form can be easily sent or handed to us to reduce the time taken in gathering this information. We can then spend our time supporting you during a frightening time, locate them more quickly and safeguard them more effectively.

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Ths spokesman added: “People can download as many copies as you like from our website. You may never have to use the form, but it can act as a piece of mind knowing that you have the information ready to hand; it takes just 10 minutes to fill out. We recommend that you give copies to family members, friends, neighbours and any care or support groups that your loved one may visit.

Even if they have never been missing before, there can always be a first time. https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/advice/herbert-protocol

The Missing From Home Team can be contacted via [email protected]