Quick-thinking Kayleigh praised for helping vulnerable pensioner

Now Kayleigh Navi, 31, has received a Northumbria Police commendation for her help.

She became worried after she spotted an 80-year-old man wandering the streets of Jarrow late at night on January 22 who appeared to be in a confused and dazed state.

Kayleigh - who works with the elderly in her role as a care worker in South Tyneside - rang 101 and led police to his location.

The man, who has dementia, had left his home address three hours earlier but got lost.

Kayleigh was invited into Millbank Police Station and was presented with a Commander’s Compliment by Chief Superintendent Sarah Pitt, who said: “This could have so easily had a different outcome.

“It was late at night, there was hardly anybody around and it was dark – the temperatures were dropping

“Kayleigh could have ignored what she saw, assumed the man was fine and carried on. Without her intervention, the reality is that he could have come to serious harm and it inevitably would have resulted in officers launching a significant missing person operation.

“Kayleigh’s actions resonated with my officers and she richly deserves this recognition. We all have loved ones and this could have been anybody – your grandma or granddad, mum or dad.

“She should be very proud of her actions and I know the public will share my thanks to her after going above and beyond.”

Kayleigh said she did what ‘anybody would have done.’

“I’m just pleased that the gentleman has returned home safe and well,” she said. “I work with elderly people through my job, and seeing him walking alone at half-ten at night – it just didn’t seem right.

“That’s why I contacted police and I’m really pleased that this had a positive outcome”.

Anybody who knows a loved one living with dementia is encouraged to sign up to the Force’s Herbert Protocol which means officers searching for a vulnerable person will have quick access to a photograph, their routine and other information that could help trace their whereabouts.For more information, visit