New scheme aims to reunite missing people with loved ones more quickly

New scheme aims to reunite missing people with loved ones more quickly

A new scheme designed to speed up the search for missing loved ones is being launched by Lancashire Police.

‘Know me to help me’ is a new tool for compiling important information about vulnerable adults and young people with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other learning disabilities, so they can be found more quickly if they ever go missing from home.

Similar to the Herbert Protocol, which exists to support people living with Alzheimer’s, it has been developed by Missing from Home Prevention Police Constable Rachael Carroll.

PC Carroll, of the Burnley Safer Neighbourhood Team, initially trialled the use of the form in the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale areas but it is now being rolled out county wide.

It involves completion of a form by the parent or care giver, consisting of a photograph and information which may be help Police and other relevant agencies in the event that a vulnerable young person or adult goes missing.

Having all the information readily to hand should help Police move more quickly to locate the missing person, reducing their vulnerability and ensuring they are safely reunited with their families or care givers.

Since KM2HM’s inception, PC Carroll has found that other external partners are enquiring about using the form as either a response after a missing from home event to assist with future reports or as an extra safeguarding measure for those at risk of going missing.

She recently visited a Lancashire County Council specialist autism respite home, which is completing the form for every young person who attends now and will attend the centre in the future as part of the induction. It also requests that carers complete a KM2HM form when the young person is at home.

Commenting on the scheme, PC Carroll said: “Know me to help me is based on the successful Herbert Protocol but that is limited to people living with dementia.

“Know me to help me is intended to help when young people or vulnerable adults go missing, particularly those who may be more at risk owing to personal, physical or mental health issues.

“Having all the information we need readily accessible is important since it can take some time to gather this detail when a person goes missing.

“I am hoping that the new scheme will help to cut down the time it takes to find missing people and in doing so, reduce the risk of them coming to any harm.”

Further details of the scheme can be found here.

Anyone wanting more information about how to get involved with know me to help me is invited to email PC Carroll via rachael.carroll@lancashire.police.uk