Current timestamp: 30/03/2023 21:55:19
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

wiltshire-logo-new

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Request your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

National Dementia Action Week

Main article content

Navigation

News

10:32 16/05/2022

A nationwide scheme to help find a missing person with dementia is being supported by Wiltshire Police as part of National Dementia Action Week (16 - 22 May).

The Herbert Protocol is a scheme designed to help police and family or friends locate the missing person. 

Adults go missing for all sorts of reasons, but according to the charity Missing People, dementia is one of the most common, representing around one in ten adult missing incidents nationally. It is estimated that four in every 10 people with dementia will go missing at some point, often unintentionally.

It is important that families and carers feel there is something they can do to help when someone goes missing.

Working in partnership

Wiltshire Police, in partnership with Alzheimer’s Support, Swindon Carers and both local authorities, is raising awareness of the Herbert Protocol which encourages carers to compile and store useful information that can be used in the event of a vulnerable person going missing.

The Force is asking carers, family members and friends of those with dementia to complete in advance a simple booklet recording important details such as medication, mobile numbers, places previously located as well as a recent photograph.

If a family member, friend or resident goes missing, the booklet can be handed to police, reducing the time it takes to gather information during the initial, critical stages of a search, which police call ‘the golden hour’.

Valuable tool

Detective Inspector Eirin Martin, Force Lead for Missing Persons, said: “The Herbert Protocol is such a valuable tool in helping police find some of our most vulnerable missing people.

"Those with dementia are at an increased risk of harm due to their diagnosis and often external factors, such as weather conditions.  We want to use National Dementia Action Week to raise awareness of this vital document, supported by our partners."

There are 3 ways to obtain a copy of the Herbert Protocol: 
1. Download a copy from here. Complete and store it electronically

2. Print a copy from the website, complete by hand and keep a hard copy in a safe place

3. Doctor’s surgeries, police station enquiry offices and local authority offices (County Hall, Trowbridge, Wat Tyler House, Swindon and Monkton Park, Chippenham).

It must be kept in a safe place where it can easily be found if the person it refers to goes missing.  It may need to be located quickly, at any time day or night, by a police officer who will need the information to begin the initial searches. The police will only ever ask for the protocol if the person is reported missing.

Wiltshire Police will be at Swindon Central Library between 10.30am till 12.30pm today (16 May) at the Dementia Action Week Expo.

You can report a missing person to police at any time.  Call 101 or 999 if the missing person is a child or someone thought to be at serious risk or harm.  You can also report to the charity Missing People on 116 000.

Share

Herbert Protocol block

  • Herbert Protocol

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Wiltshire Police

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • News
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Campaigns
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy notice

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention advice
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Stats and data
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Feedback

Partners

  • Police and Crime Commissioner
  • Police.uk

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.