POLICE have urged people to look out for the elderly and vulnerable going into the winter months.

With summer time officially ending tonight, there are increased concerns the colder temperatures and longer nights could lead to some people becoming more at risk.

The message follows a large scale search for a 74-year-old Alzheimer's sufferer last Sunday, who went missing from her care home in Woodside Park for more than four hours.

She was eventually found trying to play football in Friern Barnet, but officers have warned the outcome could have been a lot worse.

They said neighbours, family and friends can help ensure the safety of the elderly and vulnerable by responding quickly if they spot something wrong.

Late turn duty Inspector Jason Moseley: "This lady covered quite a distance on foot, but luckily a team effort between all the resources we had available to us meant a happy ending.

"The family responded very quickly in telling us about her absence, and that is just as well as it was getting late and temperatures were falling fast.

"We hear too many cases like this where the result is no where near as happy as this was, so time is always of the essence, but especially where the elderly or vulnerable missing persons are concerned."