SURREY Police are working with Surrey County Council and Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to introduce the national Herbert Protocol initiative.

The Herbert Protocol is a risk-reduction tool for people living with dementia and their families in the event that a loved one ever goes missing.

The initiative is named after George Herbert, a Second World War veteran of the Normandy landings, who lived with dementia and repeatedly went missing from his care home while trying to return home.

The form requires the carer or family member to fill in vital information about the person, including their full details, regular routines, close connections and details of physical health or any medical conditions.

It is designed to help police locate a missing person as soon as possible and avoids putting families through the additional stress of having to answer questions from police at a distressing time.

The Force’s mental health lead Amy Mcleod, said: “Every year people across the county living with dementia are reported missing to us.

“The introduction of this scheme will be hugely beneficial in helping us locate missing people with dementia and gives officers immediate access to information about that individual so that they act fast and locate them as soon as possible.

“I strongly encourage anybody living in Surrey who has a loved one with dementia or carers for somebody living with dementia to fill in the form. Even if the person has never gone missing before it’s really worthwhile to have this form completed in the event that they ever do go missing.”

Sharon Gregory, director of older people’s services at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “People with dementia tell us that they want to remain independent as much as possible. However, memory problems can make people feel disoriented and mean that they go missing unexpectedly.

“Keeping a record of essential information to give to the police, if needed, can help carers be as prepared as possible and provide them with greater peace of mind.

• To download the form and complete it go to: www.surrey.po

lice.uk/contact-us/missing-person-incident-form.

In the unfortunate event that the person goes missing, the form can be sent to the Surrey Police Contact Centre in addition to making a 999 call.