Sidmouth: Police to take no further action in Holmesley Care Home Covid investigation

No further action is to be taken by the police against two people arrested in connection with the outbreak of Covid-19 at the Holmesley Care Home in Sidford, which was believed to have led to 11 deaths.

A 57-year old woman from Sidmouth and a 30-year old man from Exeter were arrested in March on suspicion of wilful neglect.

But today (Thursday, June 10), police said they would not be pursuing their investigations any further.

A police spokesperson said: "Following extensive enquiries, which involved interviewing staff and residents' family members and searches of the home, and with early consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the decision has been made that the criminal threshold for neglect has not been met."

But both the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Health and Safety Executive are now considering offences relating to the Care Act 2014 and Courts Act 2015.

Last month it emerged that CQC inspectors had concerns about infection prevention and control procedures at the home when they visited it in February: read more here.

Senior investigating officer from Devon and Cornwall Police, Detective Inspector Lesley Bulley, said: "Our priority has been to understand the cause of the outbreak at Holmesley Care Home and ensure that safeguarding concerns were addressed.

"We would like to thank the families of the deceased for their patience throughout what has been a really complex case."

A CQC spokesperson added: "Following the inspection of Holmesley Care Home, CQC imposed urgent conditions upon the service. Following this, CQC are considering what further action we may want to take."