West Yorkshire Police is marking World Alzheimers Day (21st September) by raising awareness of a scheme which promotes close working between police officers and those with dementia and their carers.
Known as the Herbert Protocol it ensures that key information about vulnerable individuals living with dementia is kept on file by families, carers, care homes or sheltered housing providers - this can speed up the process for police officers should an individual living with dementia be reported missing.
The force is a member of Dementia Action Alliance and has specialist officers working in each district who actively engage with dementia community groups and organisations to better understand the needs of those affected. They also act as advisers to officers should they be dealing with someone with dementia.
The Herbert Protocol form can be downloaded from the West Yorkshire Police website and completed in advance in case it is needed. The form records all vital details including medication required, mobile numbers, previous places and a photograph. In the event of a family member going missing the form can then be handed to police to reduce the time taken in gathering this information. The initiative is named after George Herbert - a Normandy landings war veteran who lived with dementia.