Man becomes 1,000th person to sign up to digital missing persons portal

A penny farthing riding, author and dementia campaigner from Suffolk has become the 1,000th person to register on the digital missing persons portal Safe and Found Online.

Peter Berry, who has Alzheimer’s, recently attended the Suffolk County Council offices in Ipswich to mark being the 1,000th person to register.

He was 50 when he was diagnosed in 2014 with early onset Alzheimer’s.

Since then, in collaboration with friend Deb Bunt, he has become an author with their first book titled “Slow Puncture, Living well with Dementia” to be published in February. He also become a campaigner and charity fundraiser under the mantra “life with Dementia isn’t over – it’s just a little different”.

Safe and Found Online is the digital version of the Herbert Protocol and was adopted by both Suffolk and Norfolk constabularies earlier this year, currently operating in 13 forces nationwide.

The portal means vital information about vulnerable people who have been reported missing can now be in the hands of the police in a matter of seconds.

Detective chief inspector Brett Harris of Suffolk Constabulary said: “Any person going missing is incredibly worrying but for someone with dementia there is always a risk that they may get lost, even if taking a walk on a familiar route to a favourite place.

“Balancing this risk with a need for independence is difficult. Planning ahead to keep them safe is really important and makes such a difference.

“This digital service is something we have been keen to see come to fruition and believe this improves the already essential and life-saving service that the Herbert Protocol provides.”

Chris Cheshire from Safe and Found Online said: “People like Peter should be able to continue doing what they’ve always done if they can, what we are doing is helping to provide part of a safety net when they need it.

“We are pleased nearly so many people have now registered a profile with us.”

Peter has also agreed to become Safe and Found Online’s latest board adviser as they continue to develop new additions to their platform to assist people living with dementia.

He said: “This is an insurance policy for people like me, who might get mislaid.

“With Safe and Found Online in place, I will be able to continue to be active, to achieve and to live well. Something like this, well it’s key to my health and emotional wellbeing.”

Beccy Hopfensperger, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Adult Care, said: “I thank Peter for his ongoing championing of living well with dementia and I join him in encouraging people who are at risk of going missing, or their families and carers, to submit useful information about themselves through the Safe and Found Online Portal today.”

Anthony Douglas CBE, Independent Chair of the Suffolk Safeguarding Adults Board added: “Safe and Found Online will save people with dementia from harm because of the opportunities it will give local agencies to respond rapidly to a concern that is immediately apparent. It’s a brilliant development’,

For more information and to register with Safe and Found Online visit: safeandfoundonline.co.uk/.