TV star visits WMP

Line of Duty TV star and dementia campaigner Vicky McClure recently visited West Midlands Police to discuss their work supporting people with dementia.

Vicky was at the Force Contact Centre meeting staff and hearing about how they use the Herbert Protocol, which assists police when someone with dementia goes missing.

Vicky spoke with call handlers who are the first point of contact for people when they call us and with members of our vulnerabilities desk who support callers who have specific or additional needs.

Inspector Jemma Connor-Iommi and Superintendent Samantha Batey, Force Leads for Dementia Support, have been working with Vicky to help raise valuable awareness around dementia and the Herbert protocol both in Force and across the wider West Midlands region.

Insp Connor-Iommi, said: "Having worked on numerous dementia projects with Vicky over the last couple of years I've seen first-hand how passionate she is about ensuring dementia isn't a postcode lottery across the country, and that all members of the dementia community get the best possible support from forces.

"It's been great to welcome her into the West Midlands, and as a force we have lots of plans over the coming months to work with Vicky, our partners and the community to ensure the West Midlands is a dementia-friendly place to live, work and visit."

Supt Batey said: "We are committed to supporting people with dementia and those who care for them, but sadly our initial contact with them can often come at times of extreme vulnerability and concern.

"So, we're working hard to make that process straight-forward and supportive which will help us to resolve any missing episodes as quickly and safely as possible."