The Herbert Protocol is a form that carers, family or friends of a vulnerable person can fill in.
It contains a list of information to help the police if the person goes missing, including medication required, mobile numbers, places previously located and a recent photograph.
Keeping a completed form saves the worry of trying to recall the information during the stressful time of someone going missing. It also saves time for the police, allowing the search to start sooner.
The initiative is named after George Herbert, a war veteran of the Normandy landings, who lived with dementia. He died whilst 'missing', trying to find his childhood home.
To find our more and to download the forms visit the Metropolitan Police website.
If you discover a person is missing, conduct a brief ‘open door’ search of the address, grounds and outbuildings, to see if you can find them.
If they're still missing, call 999 immediately. Don't worry - you won't be criticised for calling the police if you are worried about a person's safety. The sooner the police know someone is missing, the sooner officers can start looking for them.