Soldier's legacy is helping save lives of forces personnel

Northumbria Police has adopted the 'Forcer Protocol' developed in memory of tragic hero Alan Forcer, who was found hanged in North East woods after being reported missing, writes SOPHIE DOUGHTY

- SOPHIE DOUGHTY

WHEN troubled Army veteran Alan Forcer was reported missing, police assessed him as being medium risk, despite being told he was suffering from PTSD and had attempted to take his own life.

Three days later, officers from Cleveland Police found the 40-year-old dad-of-three dead in Woodland near Stockton.

But now Alan's legacy is helping to save the lives of other forces personnel and veterans on Tyneside.

Northumbria Police became the second force in the country to adopt the Forcer Protocol last year.

Developed following tireless work by Alan's ex-wife Claire Lilly, the protocol is a tool that helps police access key information about former or serving members of the forces quickly should they be reported missing.

Now, one of the first questions a police call handler will ask when responding to a missing person's report is if the person involved has ever been a member of the forces.