SENIOR leaders from Cheshire Police are uniting this week to help raise understanding and awareness of people living with dementia.

Officers and staff from across the force are taking part in a special training session, led by a specialist nurse, to mark Dementia Action Week at Cheshire Police’s headquarters in Winsford on Friday, May 25.

It forms part of the Emergency Services Strategic Commitment on Dementia, which Cheshire Police signed in September 2017.

By signing up to the commitment, the force pledged to work with representatives from partner agencies to maintain and improve the safety of people living with the condition and support their families and carers.

David Keane, Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner, said: “Dementia can affect anyone. Many of those people will encounter the emergency services at some point, which is why it is essential that we all have a true understanding of the condition.

“Since signing the commitment, the force has already undertaken a large amount of work to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and as Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire I pledge to ensure that this work continues into the future.”

As part of Dementia Action Week, which runs until 28 May, the force will be celebrating what has been achieved over the past 12 months.

Janette McCormick, acting chief constable, said: “As a force, we deal with people who live with dementia daily and it’s vital that all our staff and officers understand the condition – which is why I signed the Strategic Commitment on Dementia.

“One of the key priorities within the commitment is to ensure that staff have the necessary awareness, skills and understanding to recognise and support people living with dementia, before, during and after an emergency incident.

“We’ve already started to see the rewards of our efforts, with Crewe becoming one of the first towns in Cheshire to achieve Dementia Friendly status, thanks to the hard work of all involved.

“We’ve also seen the successful rollout of the Herbert Protocol across Cheshire, a scheme specifically designed for people who live with dementia –and many often start to wander and sometimes go missing. The scheme has been so successful that it’s now being implemented by neighbouring forces.

“This work is ongoing, and I am committed to doing all that I can to help make Cheshire a dementia friendly county.”

For more information about the Emergency Services Strategic Commitment on Dementia, go to alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-friendly-communities/organisations/dementia-friendly-emergency-services.