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Norfolk Constabulary is supporting the launch of a new online portal which allows carers and families of people living with dementia to provide important information online to assist police in the event they go missing.
The scheme is designed to help those caring for someone with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, brain injuries or learning disabilities.
Safe and Found Online is a digital version of the Herbert Protocol. The Herbert Protocol was first introduced in 2009 in Norfolk. The protocol has been in place for several years and was relaunched last year with a video that can be viewed at the bottom of this page.
The Herbert Protocol works by family members and caregivers completing, in advance, a form recording all vital details, such as medication required, mobile numbers, places previously located and a photograph.
In the event of your family member or friend going missing, the form could be easily sent or handed to the police to reduce the time taken in gathering this information.
The digital version now allows the person living with the dementia or other included vulnerability, or a family member or carer, to update a secure profile online, as opposed to a paper form or computer file.
The online profile can be kept up to date with recent pictures and descriptions that could be crucial in identifying the person and importantly can be accessed by police without delay and enquiries can commence to locate them.
“It can be a challenge caring for vulnerable people, including those with dementia, Alzheimer’s, brain injuries or learning disabilities.
“Any person going missing is incredibly worrying but for someone with dementia there is always a risk that they may get lost, even if taking a walk on a familiar route to a favourite place.
“Balancing this risk with a need for independence is difficult. Planning ahead to keep them safe is really important and makes such a difference.
“This new digital service is something we have been keen to see come to fruition and believe this improves the already essential and life-saving service that the Herbert Protocol provides.”
Detective Chief Inspector Bruce Clark.
The Safe and Found Online portal enhances the capacity in current practises with information gathering and the safeguarding of vulnerable people who have been reported missing. The initiative is primarily aimed at those who with a new or recent dementia diagnosis or those already living with dementia. The paper form will still be available for those without computers who wish to access it.
Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Sarah Taylor, said: “Timing is crucial when a vulnerable person goes missing. Having a loved one’s details set up online with Safe and Found will speed up the search process to ensure someone can be located.
“I hope that by raising awareness of this service, more of us will take action now – spending a few minutes online today could save valuable time in future when sadly we need it.”
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