Tayside police are working on plans to pilot a scheme where GPS trackers could be used to help elderly people suffering from illnesses such as dementia.
The trackers would be fitted to the clothes of vulnerable people who are susceptible to going missing, to ensure they can be easily found.
Around 2,000 people go missing every year in Tayside.
Inspector Marc Lorente, of the Divisional Coordination Unit, is working on the proposal. He said: “One thing we have looked at piloting is systems out there like GPS for older generations.
“Younger people use smartphones, so there are ‘find your iPhone’ apps, but there are also GPS tools out there for elderly folk. One of them is key fobs. Older people can be quite habitual, perhaps putting on their favourite jacket every day, so if there was a key fob in your pocket or stitched into their jacket, that could really help.
“Obviously you have to balance it with people’s human’s rights but I think some families would want that if it was possible.”
Police to pilot GPS scheme to help Tayside elderly
