Herbert Protocol: the form that could save hours

Filling in one short form now can shave critical time off a search later. We’re asking Dorset families and care settings to complete a Herbert Protocol form before it’s ever needed.

When someone living with dementia goes missing, the first hour matters more than any other. The Herbert Protocol is a simple form, completed in advance, that records the information a search team needs immediately: places the person has lived and worked, routes they walked regularly, medication, mobility, and a recent photograph.

Without it, officers and search planners spend the opening stage of a search gathering details from relatives who are frightened and under pressure. With it, that information is already on the page — and our Search Planners can begin building a search plan from the moment we’re tasked.

The form is free, it stays with the family or care home, and it’s only handed to police if the person is reported missing. [Care providers across Dorset / Dorset Police] hold copies, and you can download one from [link].

If you care for someone who might go missing, please fill one in. We would prefer it was not used.