Item 7 - Herbert Protocol
West Dunbartonshire Council · 22 May 2025
Back to Community Planning West Dunbartonshire Management Board — 22 May 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Report by A/Supt Trish Robertson Community Planning West Dunbartonshire: 22 May 2025 Subject: 1. Purpose To raise awareness of the Herbert Protocol, used by Police Scotland to assist in missing person investigations involving adults living with dementia. 2. Recommendations It is recommended that members of the CPP Management Board note the content of the presentation and share the information where appropriate. 3. Background The Herbert Protocol was developed by Norfolk Police in 2011 and has been in use across Scotland for a number of years. It was formally launched on a national basis in September 2021, although has been in place in West Dunbartonshire for much longer than this. 4. Main Issues People living with dementia often have a loss of short-term memory, but can recall memories from decades previously. People living with dementia can be vulnerable to going missing, and can place themselves at risk. The early stages of a missing person investigation are critical and the Herbert Protocol allows carers to provide detailed information to the police should a missing episode occur. This can assist relatives and carers to recall and share information quickly, at a time that can be emotionally charged and can assist in tracing and safeguarding the person as swiftly as possible. Police Scotland’s Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Division are keen to increase awareness of the Herbert Protocol and ensure that as many people living with dementia as possible have a form completed, and that family members / carers continually keep this up to date. Posters have been placed in GP surgeries and hospitals across West Dunbartonshire and members of the CPP Management Committee are requested to assist in sharing information where possible. ITEM 7
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL 5. People Implications N/A 6. Financial Implications N/A 7. Risk Analysis N/A 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) N/A 9. Consultation N/A 10. Strategic Assessment N/A Person to Contact: A/Supt Trish Robertson - Patricia.Robertson@scotland.police.uk PC Martin McKenna – Missing Person Coordinator for Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Division – martin.mckenna@scotland.police.uk Appendices: Herbert Protocol PowerPoint presentation Background Papers: None Wards Affected: All wards