FEARS of neglect at two Wokingham care homes dating back nearly a year have sparked a police investigation.

Thames Valley Police are investigating The Berkshire in Barkham Road and Woodbury House in Jouldings Lane, Farley Hill, both run by Brighterkind.

Noone has been arrested or charged during the investigations.

Wokingham Borough Council's Adult Safeguarding Team first raised concerns about the care homes in July 2015.

Investigating officer detective constable Nathan Adby, from Thames Valley Police’s protecting vulnerable people investigation unit, said: "Officers are currently conducting enquiries following concerns about people who are or who have been resident at either The Berkshire or Woodbury House.

"Our priority remains the welfare of the residents in the homes and the relevant next of kin have been contacted to ensure they are aware of our investigation.

"Thames Valley Police has been liaising with our partners at the Care Quality Commission and Wokingham Borough Council to ensure residents are safeguarded.

"If any friends or family of people who have been resident at the homes, staff or former staff would like to raise any concerns, please come forward and speak to officers."

A dedicated email address has been set up for anyone with information or concerns about the investigation. The police can be contacted at BrighterKind_Enquiries@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk or on 101 quoting URN 767 11/4.

Stuart Rowbotham, director of health and wellbeing at Wokingham Borough Council, said:  "As soon as concerns were raised we took immediate action, working with our health partners and the police, to ensure the health and wellbeing of all residents at both Woodbury House and the Berkshire Nursing Home. 

"I appreciate these concerns can cause worry and anxiety for residents and family members, and they have been fully informed of the situation by both ourselves and our partners including the police and the care provider BrighterKind.

"We will continue to support the provider to ensure they continue to make substantial improvements and that the safety and health and wellbeing of residents is a priority.

"These concerns have been reported and are now subject to ongoing police investigation as is required under the West of Berkshire Safeguarding policy and procedures.  We are supporting the police in their investigations."

A spokesman for the BrighterKind said: "We have been cooperating with Thames Valley Police since February during their enquiries relating to historical concerns that were raised with Wokingham Borough Council's Adult Safeguarding Team.

"The wellbeing of our residents is our first consideration and we actively encourage people to raise any concerns that they have about any aspect of care and we support that if any concerns are raised they should be investigated in an unbiased and transparent way.

"The investigation was initiated as a result of concerns that were raised by one person and it is important to emphasise that the police have not said they have found anything to indicate any instance of neglect.

"Our residents and relatives have been informed. We have no current complaints open at these homes.

"At a relatives' meeting this week they confirmed their satisfaction with the care being provided.

"We are working with the Care Quality Commission who along with the councils receive regular updates on all the work taking place in The Berkshire.

"Residents are being admitted to Woodbury from both Bracknell and Wokingham Borough Councils."