CARERS and family members are being reminded about the Herbert Protocol, and the vital role it can play in finding people who have gone missing as a result of dementia.

North Yorkshire Police is supporting World Alzheimer's Day by urging affected families to complete the Herbert Protocol form, which includes detailed information about the individual with dementia, including places they like to visit, habits, routines, travel patterns and contacts.

The information is collected before a missing-from-home incident, and can then be kept safe to give to the police in the event that the person with dementia is reported missing.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "Time counts in a high-risk missing-person incident, so the police need lots of information from the family, carers or friends of the person with dementia, to help find their loved-one as quickly as possible.

"However this can be really difficult to do when you are worried and anxious about the missing person, and maybe don't have all the information to hand - especially when it is about historic places or habits, which can be very important when someone has dementia.

"The Herbert Protocol is a way of preparing for the possibility of a missing-from-home incident when the pressure is off. So, if you have a loved-one with dementia, or you are caring for someone with dementia, we would encourage you to complete a Herbert Protocol form."

More details, including the form to complete, is available at www.northyorkshire.police.uk/herbertprotocol.