Superintendent Emily Vernon, who is overseeing the roll-out of the Herbert Protocol at Northamptonshire Police, says: "If you care for someone living with dementia, the worry that they may go missing can unfortunately become a reality, and it's this situation that the Herbert Protocol is designed to help.

"The detail asked for on the form provides a short-cut to the key information our officers would be seeking to gain through their initial enquiries. It means we can prioritise where to look for the missing person, as well as understand the best way to approach someone who may be very disorientated or distressed.

"In an already upsetting situation, it also reduces stress on relatives and friends as they don't have to worry they have forgotten to tell us something important, such as where their loved one might go, or the medication they need.

"By putting vital details straight into the hands of police officers out looking for the person, the search can cover the most relevant places first, helping find them safely as quickly as possible. We hope the Herbert Protocol will help provide peace of mind for people living with dementia and their loved ones."

The Herbert Protocol form can be downloaded from the Northamptonshire Police website and completed electronically or by hand. It is then stored securely in the home of the person it relates to.

Further copies of the form can be stored securely by relatives and trusted friends and neighbours. In a care home setting, the form should be stored in accordance with data protection laws.

If the person it relates to goes missing, relatives or friends are advised to call 999 immediately and tell the call handler that a completed Herbert Protocol form exists. It is then emailed or handed to police officers, and returned when the person is found.

Used by police forces across the UK, the Herbert Protocol is named after George Herbert, a War veteran of the Normandy landings, who lived with dementia.

Download the Herbert Protocol form and find out more at www.northants.police.uk/HerbertProtocol

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Katy Islip (Police, News Producer, Countywide) » Less