Care home staff 'abused elderly': six arrests made Chief Superintendent Richard Bayly, from Lancaster Constabulary, said the "serious allegations" involved "very vulnerable, elderly residents" and regarded "a significant number of cases." He said: "These arrests are a culmination of a thorough investigation into serious allegations of mistreatment of residents at Hillcroft Slyne nursing home. The inquiry is complicated and we have a team of specialist detectives working on this case who are also offering support to those families who may have had loved ones identified as being allegedly mistreated. In May, Lancashire County Council's social care department made police aware of a complaint they had received about the level of care provided to some residents at the home. Police took away computer records at the time, and six members of staff were suspended. The 36-bedroom nursing home is one of six under the Hillcroft brand, which are owned by three local businessmen, John Ayrton, David Pinington and Brian Pinington. It used to be run by the council but in 2007 they purchased it, refurbished it and extended it, so it could offer care for the frail elderly, as well as elderly residents with dementia and those with challenging behaviour. In a statement released today, Mr Ayrton, the managing director, said: "Further to the police statement released this morning we wish to confirm that, since the incident was brought to our attention, we have fully co-operated with the police investigation and continue to work closely with Lancashire County Council, the Care Quality Commission and North Lancashire Primary Care Trust."