ESSEX Police hope to cut the time taken to gather information when a person with dementia goes missing.

The service has adopted The Herbert Protocol, a national scheme which encourages carers, friends and relatives of people with dementia to fill in a form to help authorities find their loved one in the event they go missing.

It is named after a veteran of the Normandy landings, George Herbert, who lived with the condition.

Essex Police is working with Essex County Council and the Alzheimer’s Society to encourage the completion of the form, which can be passed to officers in the event someone with dementia cannot be found.

The form records vital details including medication required, mobile numbers, places previously located or attended, a photo and details of daily routine.

Andy Prophet, assistand chief constable, said: “When someone goes missing it’s imperative that police officers have as much information about that person as possible to help us find them.

“If that information has been gathered in advance it saves us precious time which can be spent looking for someone.”

John Spence, Essex county councillor responsible for health, said: “Nothing is more worrying or distressing than when a loved one or friend goes missing or doesn’t return home, so I empathise with those living with, or caring for someone with dementia who sometimes go astray.

"I am delighted to be supporting the Herbert Protocol and encourage all carers, families, friends or neighbours to download the form, complete it and store it to help Essex Police in the event a loved one goes missing.”