Sussex Police Joins National Initiative to Locate Missing Veterans
Sussex Police has adopted the Forcer Protocol, a national framework designed to speed up searches for veterans reported missing across the UK.
Sussex Police has formally adopted the Forcer Protocol, a national framework designed to improve the response when military veterans are reported missing. The signing makes the Sussex force part of a wider UK-wide effort to recognise the unique circumstances surrounding absent service personnel and to act quickly in locating them.
What the Protocol Changes
The Forcer Protocol establishes a clear set of steps for officers handling missing-person cases involving veterans. It draws attention to factors such as mental health, the transition from military to civilian life and the possibility that a missing veteran may be seeking out former comrades or familiar environments. By treating these cases with a tailored approach, police aim to reduce the time between a report being filed and the person being found safe.
A Growing UK-Wide Effort
Sussex becomes one of a number of forces across the country to sign up to the scheme, which was developed with input from veterans' organisations and policing bodies. Supporters say that standard missing-person procedures do not always account for the specific challenges former service members may face, including isolation, post-deployment stress or difficulty accessing support services.
- The protocol prompts officers to consider veteran status as a risk factor during the initial assessment.
- It encourages faster information-sharing with military charities and support networks.
- It aims to shorten the critical early hours after a report, when outcomes are most likely to improve.
Why Sussex Matters
The Sussex region is home to several military communities, including personnel based at or near Chichester and Brighton. Local veterans' groups have long pressed for greater awareness of the difficulties former service members encounter after leaving the forces. By adopting the protocol, Sussex Police is signalling that those concerns will now shape operational practice on the ground.
Organisations supporting veterans, including those involved in initiatives like suicide-prevention efforts highlighted at a recent hockey marathon, have welcomed the move and urged other forces to follow Sussex's example.