Vulnerable people at risk of going missing

Certain people are more at risk of going missing than others. This may be due to their situation, for example:

• children or young people in care
• someone with dementia
• someone suffering from mental health issues
• members of the Armed Forces

We always recommend planning ahead for if that person goes missing. If you gather information about them now, you can quickly give it to us if they go missing.

Dementia

If you care for someone with dementia, whether in a care home or in their own home, you can fill out a Herbert Protocol form which includes details about the person, their past, their habits and places they go. Then if they go missing you can give it to us and save time at the start of a search.

More about the Herbert Protocol

Advice for carers of people with dementia at risk of going missing

Armed Forces

If you know someone who is a member of the British Armed Forces, you can add their details to the Forcer Protocol form. We'll only access the form and use the information if that person goes missing.

More about the Forcer Protocol.

Further information

The Missing People charity has advice and support for when:

• someone is at risk of going missing
• someone who went missing before may go missing again

When a missing person returns

Read information about when a missing person returns including:

• what to do next
• how to support them
• taking care of yourself