Avon and Somerset Police launch new GPS trackers for dementia sufferers
Thirty will be handed out to those considered most at risk of going missing
Last updated 12th Apr 2022
Avon and Somerset Police are making GPS tracking devices available to vulnerable adults as part of a scheme to protect people with dementia.
Thirty trackers are to be provided by Somerset-based company MindMe, funded by partners Bristol Water and Wessex Water who have contributed £7,000.
Trackers will be allocated to those who are considered to be at the greatest risk of becoming a missing person, as part of the Dementia Safeguarding Scheme.
Roughly 70 percent of those living with dementia will go missing at least once and sometimes this can have life threatening consequences.
Sergeant Stuart King, who runs the Dementia Safeguarding Scheme on a voluntary basis, said:
“I’m delighted to be able to announce the launch of this much-needed addition to our safeguarding scheme and would like to thank our external partners for contributing the necessary funding to make it possible.
“Wearable devices are not a substitute for good care, but when a vulnerable person is reported missing, every minute counts and that is where modern technology can make a crucial difference.”
Kate Robbins, head of customer policy at Wessex Water, said: “As a company that provides essential services, we are committed to providing extra support to customers who are in vulnerable circumstances and need extra care, so we are very pleased to be funding this initiative which will go a long way to help people living with dementia and their families.”
The Dementia Safeguarding Scheme was established in 2015, after a rise in welfare reports concerning people living with dementia.
The scheme allows families to upload information online about their loved ones, which can be accessed by the police in the case of a missing person report.
The new GPS trackers follow the rollout of Near-Field Communication (NFC) assistance wristbands and tags which store vital information about the wearer.
The police claim that was "hugely successful".
Since their launch, more than 1,600 devices have already been allocated, with 1,000 more being made available through funding from Bristol Water, Wessex Water and Western Power Distribution.
Richard Allcock, WPD’s Stakeholder Engagement Manager said: “We are delighted to support this vital project and help people who are living with dementia. In addition, this project enables those with assistance wristbands and tags to be added to our Priority Services Register so we can support them in the event of a power cut.”
The wristbands are available free of charge via an online application to the Avon and Somerset Dementia Safeguarding Scheme.
If you know someone with dementia who you think would benefit from the scheme, you can sign up to it here.