CHESHIRE Constabulary has become the first force in the north west to adopt a scheme aimed at helping vulnerable residents. 

Herbert Protocol encourages members of the public to complete an online form recording details about a person with dementia in case they go missing. 

This means that this information can be handed to the police if they go missing and can help to reduce the time it takes to trace them.
Inspector Simon Newell said: “Last year officers dealt with more than 6,500 reports of missing people in Cheshire.

“Many of these cases involved people who are living with dementia, which is why I believe that the Herbert Protocol is such a valuable tool. 

“Gathering information about missing people can often take time and it may not always be accurate, as people are often in a distressed state when reporting missing relatives or friends. 

“However, by signing up to the Herbert Protocol, all of the information required can be accessed instantly, saving valuable time and hopefully helping to return them home safety.”

The Herbert Protocol was initially established by Norfolk Constabulary and is named after George Herbert – a war veteran of the Normandy landings who lived with dementia. 

Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner David Keane described the move as a ‘positive step’.