A scheme to help trace people living with dementia more quickly after they are reported missing has launched in the north east.

Launched at the start of Dementia Awareness Week in Scotland, the Herbert Protocol is already used in parts of the country including Glasgow and Dumfries and Galloway.

Almost 23,000 people are reported missing every year in Scotland, and 500 of those reports relate to people living with dementia.

The scheme is named after Normandy veteran George Herbert, who lived with dementia and died in 2011 after he went missing in England looking for his childhood home.

The protocol consists of a form that anyone can access from the Police Scotland website.

It can be printed off and completed for any vulnerable person where there is a concern that they could potentially go missing in the future.

The form records vital information like where they grew up, favourite places and former or current hobbies.

It is hoped that the details will help the police to trace the person quicker if they are reported missing.

Inspector Carron McKellar said: "In the north east, 4% of reports of missing persons in 2017/18 involved people living with dementia.

"The protocol was originally devised by Norfolk Police to compile information about a person which could be used if a vulnerable person was reported as missing.

"The protocol has since been adopted by other Forces across England and Wales since its original introduction."

He continued: "It is well known that people living with dementia can suffer from loss of short term memory but can easily recall memories from decades earlier.

"Sometimes we find that those who are reported missing are attempting to make their way to a place of previous significance to them.

"If a person living with dementia does go missing, in addition to our usual checks of family members, last sightings, hospitals, etc. we would use the information captured on the form, to help identify where best to deploy our officers and issue appeals on social media and traditional media for any sightings.

"It can be distressing for family members to give important details when their loved one has disappeared so by completing the Herbert Protocol form before any incident occurs, it will make things easier for families and help officers respond more quickly."