Are you the family, friend or carer for a vulnerable adult who you feel is at high risk of going missing? The police have a newly launched initiative to aid in the response and recovery of those individuals.
The Herbert Protocol is a newly launched initiative between police and partners to help with the safeguarding and recovery of vulnerable adults who are at risk of going missing.
Carers, family members and friends can complete in advance, a form recording all vital details. In the event of your family member or friend going missing, the form can be easily sent or handed to the police to reduce the time taken in gathering this information.
The protocol itself will be running throughout County Durham and Darlington. When you sign up to the process via the email referral, officers will contact you to discuss the process suggesting steps to prevent particularly vulnerable people from going missing, as well as contingencies for a swift response should the individual fail to return.
The pre-planning aspect is essential in order to this scheme to work effectively. Friends, family and carers of high risk, vulnerable adults can make a referral.
When police make contact, a standardised form will be issued to be filled in. This form is to be handed in to the police if a person goes missing. This allows them to have the correct information quickly and includes things like hobbies, bus routes, weekly events and local shops that they are likely to frequent.
Carers, friends and families will be encouraged to keep a recent photograph, along with an up to date list of medication, as well as any specific information which can be accessed quickly if needed. Support can also be offered from partner agencies and charities in relation to the individual’s safety and wellbeing.
It’s key to note, if you do discover that a person has gone missing, contact the police immediately on 101 or 999, whichever is appropriate. When a person is found, they will be visited to check their welfare, and advice and support will be offered to reduce the risk of this happening again.
If you would like more information on the Herbert protocol, get in touch with local police on 101, or email Herbertprotocol@durham.pnn.police.uk.
Similarly, if you would like to make a referral, utilise the above contact methods.
The Herbert Protocol initiative is named after George Herbert, a War veteran of the Normandy landings, who lived with dementia.
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