"When the guns go silent, that's when the battle begins"
The Forcer Protocol is a new scheme being trialled in conjunction with Greater Manchester Police. Its aim is to reduce the risk of harm to service veterans, reservists and currently serving members of the armed forces who go missing by enabling swift access to key information that can help the police find the person more quickly. Safe and Found Online has developed an online version of the Forcer Protocol.
Overall rate of probable PTSD among current and ex-serving military personnel
(British Journal of Psychiatry)
veterans who served in recent military operations were likely to report alcohol misuse
(King’s Centre for Military Health Research)
higher risk of suicide in veterans aged under 25 years than the general population
(University of Manchester)
Find out more about The Forcer Protocol.
UK Police Force Practices
Forcer Protocol
The Forcer Protocol is a tool used by the Police to ensure key information is available to them when they are searching for service veterans who are lost or have gone missing. It is named after Alan Forcer who suffered with complex PTSD and debilitating depression following service in Northern Ireland & Kosovo during the height of the conflicts, subsequently taking his own life. Service veterans, their informal and professional carers, family members and friends can complete a form which records vital information in relation to the veteran in case they go missing.
Our Mission & Goals
Our Platform
The Forcer Protocol is a form designed in consultation with the police and other specialist support organisations to ensure key information is available to the police when they are searching for people who are lost or have gone missing. It is being rolled out as national initiative with all UK police forces.
We have created a digital solution meaning in a missing person emergency, where every second can count, the police will have direct and instant access to potentially life-saving information. This is something completely new and unique to Safe and Found Online. The police only want, and we will only give them access to the profile you’ve created if the person featured is reported as missing
UK Police Force Practices
Claire Lilly
The Forcer Protocol was created following the passing of Claire’s former husband’s and father of three beautiful children, and son to Chris and Ian. Lance Corporal Alan James Forcer was a war veteran with PTSD, who completed suicide in May 2020 after he lost the only support available to him from a veterans charity.
Following Alan’s inquest, Claire has worked and campaigned tirelessly for the creation of a similar approach to be used when an Armed Forces Veteran went missing as that already in place with the Herbert Protocol. So if a family are concerned their loved one may be at risk of self-harm or suicide, they can record important information which can be vital in trying to ensure their safety.
Claire’s work has seen her gain support for her initiative from Government Ministers, the NHS and Armed Forces Charities. As a result, the National Police Chiefs Council asked Missing Persons Police investigations expert and Safe and Found Online Board Advisor Charlie Hedges to help Claire bring the Forcer Protocol into operation.
