The Herbert Protocol (Dementia)

Posted on June 5th, 2025

People with dementia can sometimes start to wander. This might only be into the garden or street for a short time, but sometimes people get lost and go missing.

Are you a carer or family or friends of a vulnerable person, or the person themselves? you can fill in a Herbert Protocol form in advance, containing information to help the police if the person goes missing – https://www.merseyside.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/central/advice/herbert-protocol/herbert-protocol-form.pdf

They can fill in this form on their computer or print it out and fill it in by hand:

• Keep it somewhere safe where you can easily find it if the person goes missing.
• Give a copy to friends, family and neighbours.
• Keep this information up to date whenever something changes.
• They only need to give the form to the police if the person goes missing.
• Details are helpful, but tell them not to worry if they can’t answer every question.
• There is space at the end of the form to tell us more if they run out of space for any of the questions
• They can always add another page to a printout or add something to an email.

Keeping a completed form means you don’t have to try to remember the information when you are under stress if someone goes missing. And it saves time, so we can start the search sooner.

For further information please visit: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/missing-person/missing-persons/vulnerable-people-at-risk-of-going-missing/dementia-missing-risk-herbert-protocol/