The Digital Information Bank committed to Safeguarding Vulnerable People.
As part of their Missing Persons strategies, UK Police Forces are encouraging carers of vulnerable people who are a risk of going missing to compile useful information about them. This data is recorded on a form provided by the Police and can save vital time in putting together a search and rescue plan in a missing persons event.
These forms are called “Protocols”. We have worked in partnership with several English police forces to create digital versions of these forms. This means life saving information can be with the police at the touch of a button.
The Protocols
The Herbert Protocol
is a nationwide scheme adopted by all UK police forces with the aim of reducing the risk of harm to someone living with dementia who goes missing by enabling swift access to key information that can help the police find the person more quickly.
Safe and Found Online is an online version of the Herbert Protocol currently being trialled with West Yorkshire Police, Greater Manchester Police and Cumbria Police.
The Forcer Protocol
is a pilot scheme currently being trialled with Greater Manchester Police and Cumbria Police. Its aim is to reduce the risk of harm to service veterans 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.
What the police say about SAFO
National Police Chiefs' Council
DCC Catherine Hankinson of West Yorkshire Police and NPCC Lead on Missing Persons said:
‘We can endorse the idea of digital versions of the Herbert Protocol form and recommend forces to log into websites to view the location of a smart phone, or tracking device, or to access the history of recent movements of the vulnerable person.’
What the police say about SAFO
North Yorkshire Police
SAFO trialled the first version of the system back in 2016 with North Yorkshire Police. The trial was a success.
‘Fantastic, we hope that this is something that the police adopt, the benefits that this would have for officers on the ground searching for mispers would be advantageous, and move policing forward’
What the police say about SAFO
Cheshire Police
The second trial of SAFO took place in Crewe with Cheshire Police and helped move the product on further.
‘Testing was very successful, if this could be replicated we would no doubt save lives.’
