'Herbert Protocol' initiative to be launched on Isle of Man

Scheme gives police the info they need to start searching for missing people straight away

A scheme that encourages carers, family and friends to provide useful information, which could then be used in the event of a vulnerable person going missing, is to be launched here on the Isle of Man.

Named for George Herbert - a war veteran of the Normandy landings who had dementia and sadly died whilst he was missing - the 'Herbert Protocol' initiative is gaining popularity across the British Isles.

It's aimed at speeding up the process of identifying and locating missing people with dementia or Alzheimer's Disease, before they can come to harm.

Indeed, statistics from Dementia UK reveal that 70 percent of people with dementia will go missing at least once.

The 'Herbert Protocol' will officially be launched here next Tuesday (1 July) during an event in Strand Street, Douglas.

Representatives from the Isle of Man Constabulary and the charity Forget Me Not will be on hand between 11am-2pm for people to ask questions or sign up for the scheme.

Siobhán Fletcher spoke to Gemma Wild from the charity, and Crime Prevention/Design Out Crime Officer Sarah Williams to find out more:

HOW IT WORKS

Carers and/or relatives and friends complete a form, including important information about the missing individual, such as contact numbers, medication needed, locations the person would gravitate to, photographs etc.

The form is completed in advance and a copy kept safely online and/or at the person’s home or care home. 

If the person goes missing, the form can be handed to the police, giving them the information they need to start searching straight away – rather than family and friends having to remember details in a stressful situation.

Additionally, those signed up to the scheme here will also soon receive wristbands from Forget Me Not.