ALLEGATIONS of lack of care and safeguarding of 43 care home residents, 12 of whom have since died, are being investigated, police have confirmed.

Officers have searched nine homes run by Sussex Health Care and medical records taken away, it has emerged.

It comes as The Argus revealed earlier this month two homes run by the company – The Laurels in Broadbridge Heath and Orchard Lodge in Warnham – had their names published on the West Sussex County Council website because of significant safeguarding concerns had been raised.

The brother of one resident told the BBC he raised concerns before and “wished people had listened”.

The care company said in a statement it was “working openly with the police to support the investigation”.

On Friday, relatives were called to a meeting with Sussex Police to discuss the investigation.

Martyn Lewis, whose brother suffered a broken leg the family feel was never properly explained, said they had raised concerns before.

He said: “Clearly the last two and a half years have been an immense period of enquiry, challenge, pushback. And unfortunately the current events have basically provent we were right. I wish people would have listened.”

Sussex Health Care runs 19 care homes for people with learning difficulties, neurological conditions and the elderly.

A spokesman said there was no evidence of wrongdoing.