Hertfordshire Constabulary promoted a new free service to help protect vulnerable people in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. A countywide alert via the Herts Connected platform on 1 February 2026 encouraged carers and families to use a digital portal that stores vital information about loved ones who may have dementia, learning disabilities or mental health conditions. By registering, carers and families ensure that local officers can access photos and medical details quickly if a person goes missing.
The system, called Safe and Found Online, is a digital version of the traditional Herbert Protocol. The constabulary launched the portal on 16 January 2026 and is urging residents to register; families can securely upload important facts such as a person’s recent photograph, known ‘safe places’ and specific health needs to a secure database. This allows police to begin searches immediately without having to collect basic information during an emergency.
Local officers from the Rickmansworth & District Safer Neighbourhood Team are supporting sign-ups and are also encouraging residents to register for Herts Connected, the official community messaging platform for the area. Herts Connected provides direct updates and safety alerts to neighbours; it replaced the former Online Watch Link (OWL) system in April 2024. The aim is to strengthen the flow of information between police and the local community to help keep at-risk residents safe.
This push for digital safeguarding forms part of the wider Right Care Right Person programme. That policy seeks to ensure that people in health-related crisis receive help from the most appropriate professionals (for example, health professionals where appropriate) rather than a standard police response. Residents can find out more and register via the Hertfordshire Constabulary website or through local community outreach events in the Rickmansworth area.
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