Three staff members at Devon care home arrested after allegations of violence

Three members of staff at a care home in Devon have been arrested after allegations of violence and neglect of residents.

Officers were called to a care home on Brixington Lane, in Exmouth, believed to be Knappe Cross Care Centre.

They said they are working with the council and Care Quality Commission to make sure any inappropriate activity is dealt with promptly.

The three members of staff have been released on bail.

The care homeowners said they are cooperating fully with authorities and that they remain fully committed to the highest standards of care.

Devon and Cornwall Police said they were notified recently following concerns regarding the care of residents at a care home in Brixington Lane, in Exmouth.

Officers have commenced a criminal investigation regarding activity at the home.

Police say they're working closely with Devon County Council Adult Safeguarding Services and the Care Quality Commission to ensure that any inappropriate activity is dealt with promptly and appropriately and any lessons are learned for the future.

A police statement added: "Robust safeguarding arrangements are now in place. The safety and ongoing care of the residents remains the utmost priority consideration for all of the professional agencies involved."

A spokesperson for the care centre said: "We want to extend our sincere apologies to the families affected by this situation and are committed to working hard to rebuild their trust. The safety, dignity, and wellbeing of everyone we support are, and have always been, our top priorities, and we want to reassure everyone we work with, and the entire community, that we remain fully committed to the highest standards of care.

"We were shocked to discover the alleged incidents, as they do not reflect the values we uphold or the level of care we strive to provide every day. As soon as we were made aware, we took immediate action, and we are cooperating fully with all relevant authorities to ensure a comprehensive and transparent investigation.

"We are absolutely committed to doing everything we can to prevent any similar situations in the future. We have always maintained strict protocols, including a rigorous hiring process and thorough training to ensure a compassionate, professional team. However, we are now enhancing these measures by working closely with external experts to review and strengthen our monitoring systems. This includes more frequent unannounced inspections and independent audits to provide an added layer of oversight. In addition, we are expanding our team’s training to ensure any concerns are reported to management immediately.

"Our team is fully dedicated to providing a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment, and we will continue to do everything possible to ensure that our residents receive the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve. Robust safeguarding measures are in place, and we remain unwavering in our commitment to the ongoing care and safety of our residents."