Line of Duty star Vicky McClure backs Northumbria Police to support missing people with dementia

Line of Duty star Vicky McClure has been in the North East this week backing a Northumbria Police initiative to protect people wth dementia who may go missing.

The Bafta-winning actor and dementia campaigner has been promoting the use of the "Herbert Protocol" form - used to help police forces find someone who is vulnerable and may live with a condition like dementia - if they go missing. This comes ahead of plans next Monday (June 29) for the police force to use the "Safe and Found Online" system as part of their missing persons work.

Both tools assist police officers to quickly locate vulnerable individuals. The Herbert Protocol is a form that can be filled out by carers, family, friends or even a vulnerable person themselves. It includes a physical description, photo, medical details, contact details and places they may have a connection to.

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Safe and Found Online is a service which allows loved ones of someone vulnerable to upload information about them to a secure website to then assist officers in searching for them.

Vicky has been a prominent dementia awareness campaigner - including organising "Our Dementia Choir" - since her grandmother was diagnosed with the condition. Her work was cited when she was made an MBE in 2023.

Vicky said: “You might know me best as Line of Duty’s DI Kate Fleming, but now I’m turning the tables and working with forces as myself, as a member of the community, to make sure the police are held accountable and being as dementia aware as possible.

"Part of that is advising police on the best way to support those living with dementia and raising awareness of the Herbert Protocol – most importantly what it is and how it can help. I know sometimes the police have a bad name – and rightly so – and I also know there’s some incredible officers who really care and want to make a lasting, positive impact on their communities. It’s those officers that I’m working with now.

“It’s really important to me and all of my dementia community that they’re being well looked after and that police forces across the country are offering the same standard of support – and ultimately, that’s my mission."

Vicky met Northumbria's Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine and a number of other officers, and found out how the force supports those with dementia at the moment - and how it has pledged to do more. Ths comes as new NHS figures show diagnoses are at record highs.

She features in a social media campaign which will see footage of her being questioned - "Line of Duty-style" - about the Herbert Protocol. She also quizzed Supt Nicola Walker, who heads up the force's safeguarding work, about what it does to support those with dementia.

Supt Walker said: “We’re extremely grateful to Vicky for making the trip up to the North East and giving her time to help further raise awareness around dementia and the support available. Protecting vulnerable people is at the heart of everything we do at Northumbria Police – and that includes anyone in our communities living with dementia or another neurocognitive condition."

The top cop said their conversations had helped them understand what the force does well, and more importantly how it can improve. She added: "I’m happy to make that commitment to our communities and those living with dementia, or caring for someone with this terrible disease, that we’re going to build on the support already available.

"If you take anything away from Vicky’s visit, please let it be how the Herbert Protocol could help you. Whether you’re living with dementia yourself, or supporting someone who is, please fill in a form today."

The form only needs to be handed to police if someone does go missing - and Supt Walker said they were "extremely useful" in giving officers a head start and making sure they can be brought home as soon as possible.

For more information on the Herbert Protocol, visit here. You can also register for Safe and Found Online To download a copy of the Herbert Protocol form, visit the Northumbria Police website. Physical copies of the form can also be obtained at any police station front office. To report a missing person, always call 999.