Essex Police back autism alert card

An initiative to help people with autism is being launched to help the emergency services, and the public, quickly recognise that they are dealing with someone who has the condition.
The alert card has been produced by charity The Essex Autistic Society in partnership with Essex Police and Suffolk Constabulary and will be available free-of-charge to anyone across the region who has been diagnosed as having an Autism Spectrum Condition.
The cards were officially be launched at The Essex Autistic Society's Head Office in Colchester last month to coincide with the start of Autism Awareness Week.
The need for the card was identified after several incidents highlighted the difficulty people with autism face with police and other emergency services.
Preliminary trials in the Colchester area have gone very well and the feedback from parents and other family members has been extremely positive.
Roger Baker, Chief Constable of Essex Police, said, "We have worked closely with The Essex Autistic Society for some time as a member of our Independent Advisory Group and in assisting us with staff training.
"I am delighted that we have been able to develop the Alert Card Scheme which will both help increase awareness and ensure a first class service to autistic people in Essex."
The cards feature the Essex Police and Suffolk Constabulary crests and have space for two contact numbers to call in case of emergency.
They also offer some simple advice to the reader on the behaviours that might be exhibited by the individual when in a stressful situation.