Nine people have been suspended after police were called into a care home following allegations of abuse.

The probe is ongoing at Ghyll Grove care home, in Ghyllgrove, Basildon, and HC-One, the company who operates the home, took immediate action as soon as the allegations came to light.

The investigation came after a family member of one of the residents was concerned with CCTV footage obtained from a private security camera.

The incident took place in Kennett House - one of the four wards at Ghyll Grove and the firm has strongly stated all issues relate to this ward only.

The allegations relate to the rough-handling of a resident and three team members were immediately suspended pending further investigation.

HC-One said the probe sparked a full-scale review of care at Kennett House and as a result, further action was taken.

A spokesman for HC-One said: “As soon as these allegations came to light, we acted immediately to ensure the safety of residents and we have suspended three staff members.

“We are supporting residents and their loved ones, and are also working with the police, Local Authority and CQC to conduct a full investigation. As part of this review, we have already looked at the care of every resident at the whole home.

“This has shown that all residents are safe but that three further staff members on Kennett House were not following our training or were being impolite when interacting with residents.

"These individuals have also been suspended, as has the management of the home so that we can conduct a full and thorough investigation.

“We are clear that poor, unkind and impolite care is completely unacceptable to us, and we have apologised to residents and their families.

“To address the challenges that have come to light, our senior regional team has taken over the day-to-day management of the home.

“They are being further supported by specialists from across our organisation who are together working with the home level team to make sure we deliver the standard of care residents rightly expect.

“Comprehensive reviews of everything we do at the home are underway and any areas in need of improvement will be swiftly addressed.

“Our Chief Operating Officer, Director of Memory Care, and Head of Clinical Quality are all based at the home overseeing these changes. Together with our partners we are collectively committed to making sure everyone receives the right care, kind care.”

A police spokesman said: “We are conducting an investigation after allegations of abuse were made against staff. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”

A spokesman for CQC said: “CQC is aware of the police investigation concerning Ghyll Grove care home in Essex.

"We are liaising with the local authority and the police with regard to this and the home.

"A CQC inspection is currently underway and the findings from this will be published in due course. Meanwhile we await the outcome of the police investigation.”