People across Cumbria are being urged to register details with two protocols designed to assist police in the event of a search for a missing vulnerable person.
Cumbria Police are signed up to the Herbert Protocol and Forcer Protocol which provides officers quick access to pre-registered information should a person with dementia or with an armed forces background go missing.
Access to such information assists officers with initial enquiries, can help with locations that the missing person may have gone to and ultimately can lead to a person being found safe and well quickly.
The Herbert Protocol is a national scheme that encourages carers, family and friends to provide and put together useful information, which can then be used in the event of a person with dementia going missing. Information which can be provided includes details about the person, their past, their habits and places they go.
For more information on the Herbert Protocol and to register, please visit: People with dementia at risk of going missing (Herbert Protocol) | Cumbria Police.
The Forcer Protocol is similar tool which is aimed at people who have served or currently serve in the armed forces. This protocol provides officers access to veterans' details such as any key vulnerabilities or any known-risk factors, and where they have been found if they went missing before.
Cumbria Police were the first force nationally to adopt the Forcer Protocol following a trial by Greater Manchester Police.
For more information on the Forcer Protocol and to register, please visit: Forcer Protocol – Safe and Found Online.
This week safeguarding professionals from across the county received a briefing from Cumbria Police on how both protocols work and what they can do to assist police ahead of a potential missing person incident.
The briefing was organised by the Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board.
Detective Inspector Matthew Rees led the briefing and is the force’s Missing Persons Coordinator. He said: “It was really pleasing to be able to update safeguarding professionals from different agencies and sectors about how they can play a crucial role in keeping vulnerable people safe from harm.
“Both the Herbert Protocol and Forcer Protocol provide officers with pre-registered information in the event of a person going missing. This information can accelerate our initial enquiries and help inform our search operations.
“I would encourage those who care for someone with dementia to register details with the Herbert Protocol. It is our hope that this information may never be needed however, in the event it does, this can be of great assistance in our officers being able to find a missing person.
“The Forcer Protocol has been designed to support veterans in our communities, ensuring we reduce the risk to vulnerable people and put support in place.
“Serving within and transitioning from the Armed Forces can be an overwhelming experience at times and in some instances difficult and distressing.
“I would encourage all service veterans, reservists, and current serving members of the armed forces to please consider completing the form.
“The short time it takes to complete either form can potentially help save an individual’s life.”
Rob McCulloch-Graham, Chair of the Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board, said: “It is vital that people are made aware of the existence of the Herbert Protocol and Forcer Protocol so they can be used to help locate vulnerable adults who have gone missing.
“Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board commissioned the local adaption of an animation about The Herbert Protocol, and we are grateful for the support from Cumbria Constabulary in helping to launch the animation and raise awareness to support professionals and the wider community contribute to safeguarding adults.
“My family have used the Herbert protocol for my mother-in-law, who suffered from dementia and now Alzheimer’s. She did go missing in the early stages of her illness, and it was sheer luck that she was found and was able to be returned to us - We completed the Herbert Protocol form the next day.
“I would also like to extend thanks to Norfolk Safeguarding Adult Board partnership who originally developed the animation and kindly gave permission for it to be adapted by other boards.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “A vulnerable loved one going missing is most families’ nightmare.
“That’s why tools such as Herbert Protocol and Forcer Protocol can be so vital in helping locate those who need our help.
“Taking a few minutes to fill in details about your family members or those in your care can literally be lifesaving.
“I would urge anyone who cares for someone with dementia or has family who were in the armed forces to register and fill in these crucial details. We all hope we won’t need to use them but it is worth covering all our bases when it comes to our most vulnerable friends and family.”
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