Police and charity release new Bluetooth dementia trackers
It sees those with the condition given a wristband which anyone with a smartphone can scan, and alert a named contact
Last updated 22nd May 2026
New 'dementia trackers' are being trialled in Plymouth - and if successful could be used across the county to help find those with the condition who go missing.
It sees anyone with the condition given a wristband which a smartphone can scan to reveal information and contacts for the missing person.
Police have welcomed the trial, working with charity Memory Matters, as it can speed up the time it takes to find a missing person - and potentially reduce resources by not requiring a helicopter or police dogs to help comb a wide area.
Katie Smith, CEO of the Plymouth charity funding the trial, said: "We only last week had an experience of somebody going missing in the city centre - part of that was knowing who that person was, but also what to do when you find the person.
"Sometimes people are a little challenged about how do I approach people, what do I do?
"When somebody goes missing with dementia it is never expected.
"People don't even expect somebody just to dissapear and the challenge for that is the trauma that creates for the family and the person with dementia - and because we are here in Dementia Action Week this week, this is real action to prevent some of that happening."
For more about the scheme click here