Inquiry after care home is raided

Dozens of files were removed for inspection

Police and social workers raided a home for the elderly after allegations of mistreatment of residents.

Around 30 police officers and social workers descended on Newsham House care home in Gloucester during the raid, early on Tuesday morning.

It followed a tip-off to the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). A joint inquiry is now being carried out by the local authorities and the CSCI.

Managers at Newsham House were unavailable for comment.

Police officers and CSCI investigators removed dozens of file boxes from an outbuilding in the grounds of the 41-bed facility.

It is going to be a reasonably lengthy enquiry judging by the amount of material that is here. Det Ch Insp Neil Kelly

Det Ch Insp Neil Kelly said: "I don't want to give the impression that there is any criminal conduct. We are just here to determine whether that is the case.

"Part of the reason for the visit is to examine records and that is what we shall be doing after we have taken them all away. That is the main focus of our presence."

He said the home was carrying on business as usual and there was no question of imminent arrests

Residents and their relatives are being informed of the inquiry, which is being carried out jointly by Gloucestershire County Council, police and the Commission of Social Care Inspection.