Police support those with dementia

Police Community Support Officers are distributing information packs to residents affected by the degenerative condition within the area.

The packs include details of the ‘nominate a neighbour scheme,’ awareness leaflets such as ‘how to be safe in your home’ and data link pots.

These pots contain vital information about a person, including blood group, medication and carer contact details.

With consent, officers are also adding details of people with dementia to the missing person database.

This means if those people were ever reported missing, the force would have speedy access to a physical description, previous home and work addresses, next of kin details and a photograph.

Police have also begun training a team of mental health champions who will be on-hand to provide advice to people affected by mental health issues as well as to other police officers and staff.

Jacqueline Whittred, Bedfordshire Police’s lead on mental health issues, said: “Bedfordshire Police has a duty to do all it can to understand the signs of mental ill health and how to respond appropriately.

“Alongside this, we want to ensure all people affected by mental illness have access to the best possible advice and support.”