WORK to provide dementia sufferers with safe places to go has won Cleveland Police an award nomination.

The force has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Alzheimer’s Society dementia friendly awards.

The nomination recognises that Cleveland Police was the first Force in the country to run the ‘Safe Haven’ scheme.

The Force partnered with six local care homes to arrange places of safety. This means if officers are dealing with a person living with dementia who is found lost or disorientated they can seek refuge at one of the havens, rather than in a police vehicle or station, while officers make inquiries to assist them.

Cleveland was also the second Force in the country to introduce ‘The Herbert Protocol’. This is an initiative which aims to store information which could help police should a person with dementia go missing. The protocol encourages the family and friends of the person living with dementia to keep a record of places they may visit to assist police.

The Force has also delivered Dementia Friendly training to hundreds of officers, staff and contractors, such as those working in our custody environment.

Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger, who is also a recognised 'Dementia Champion', said: “There has been a great effort within Cleveland Police to establish themselves as a Dementia Friendly organisation, which I have supported enthusiastically."

The nomination comes just days after the force received the most damning inspection in police history.

The Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary report found that Cleveland Police was inadequate in all areas.