Humberside Police Roll Out Two New Schemes to Help Vulnerable Residents
Schemes which have been running nation-wide will now be rolled out across the whole of East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire.
The Herbert Protocol and Safe Places Scheme are designed as support systems for vulnerable people in region such as those with dementia and learning disabilities.
The Herbert Protocol.
The scheme named after a veteran of the Normandy landings who lived with dementia encouraged carers of vulnerable people to put together a list of useful information which can be given to Humberside Police in case the vulnerable person goes missing.
Important information might include things like what locations the person enjoys going to or feels safe, medial conditions, any medication they may be on and photographs.
This information is also being shared with the NHS, Alzheimer's UK and the Dementia Action Alliance, this means that all organisations involved have the information about the vulnerable individual if they need access to it.
Having this information is hoped to save the police force time, enabling them to target their search for the vulnerable person. This can ultimately, mean a quicker process of finding the vulnerable person.
Viking FM Spoke to chief superintendent Scott Young from Humberside Police, who explained about the scheme a little more....
'It's often a really worrying time for family and friends when a person with dementia goes missing; whose their loved one. It's not really a time to think carefully about those places where those individuals may have gone to.'
'It's critical in the first hour that we ensure we check all of those respective areas. Where absolutely the risk is paramount, and very high. So we want to make sure we are structured that we can understand where the regular places an individual may go to, places of preference or where they feel safe.'
Safe Places Scheme.
This scheme has already been successful in Hull's St Stephens shopping centre, and is now being rolled out across the rest of the Humberside Police region.
The original scheme was started by Humberside Police, Hull City council and other partnerships is designed to help those with dementia, learning disabilities or other vulnerabilities which may mean they easily become lost and confused as well as become targets for harassment or bullying.
Places that are involved in the scheme have stickers placed in windows to show that they are a safe place to go if vulnerable individuals are feeling lost, scared and confused whilst out.
Chief Superintendent Scott Young from Humberside Police explained to Viking FM how this helps vulnerable individuals and can help build their confidence ...
'To really encourage them to get out into public areas, public spaces and enjoy life. But it may make them fearful to do so, because they may become targeting for bullying or harassment.'
'Where shops make themselves available as a safe place. We give training to individuals who are in those stores. The individuals who maybe feel vulnerable carry a card that indicates they have an vulnerability and indicates who their carer may be, or their loved one.'