This in from the Hampshire Police Authority in their own words. Ed
The innovative creation of the Autism Alert Partnership to improve the safety and service received by people on the Autism Condition Spectrum pioneered by Hampshire Police Authority, Hampshire Autistic Society and Hampshire Constabulary in conjunction with a number of partners has won the prestigious ‘Police Project of the Year’ award at the second annual iESE Awards.
The partnership was launched in 2008 to improve the interaction between people with autism and the police with the development of an ‘Alert’ Card.
The partnership progressed its journey with more public services shaping the programme through the creation of a car sticker and passport.
Launched in 2008
The ‘Alert’ card launched in late 2008 ensures the police recognize that the person they are dealing with has Autism and included the creation of a pocket book guide on Autism and training for police including custody staff.
Building on the design of the original alert card a car sticker was produced for display in a front windscreen to enable Hampshire Fire and Rescue service to identify communication needs of people in road traffic accidents.
Passport system to be launched
The partnership has now created a passport system which will be launched on 21 April 2011.
The creation of the passport enables key criminal justice system organisations to identify the communication needs of an individual also to share best practice between organisations.
Hampshire Police Authority Chair Jacqui Rayment said: “The main aim of the partnership is to improve the service received by victims, witnesses and to ensure that those who do end up in the criminal justice system are dealt with in an appropriate manner. The ‘Alert’ car stickers and passport system is the first of its kind not only nationally but also, we believe, internationally.”
Mike Walsh, Head of Support Services at Hampshire Autistic Society said “Hampshire Autistic Society is very proud to lead in this innovation, which will achieve positive outcomes for people with autism, public services and local communities.”
Congratulating the winners, Councillor Paul Bettison, chairman of iESE, said, “Time and again, I’m deeply impressed by the sheer hard work and imagination of public and voluntary sector employees to find new ways of meeting the challenges facing their organisations and their communities. These awards celebrate their achievements and help share details of their work so that the sector and its partners can benefit from the best.”
