POLICE and social services officials today swooped on a Southampton rest home.

The investigation centres on allegations of providing inappropriate levels of care to elderly residents at the Everest Retirement Home in Welbeck Avenue, Highfield.

Dharamjit and Jaswinder Rai, who run the home, were led away by police during the operation this morning and are currently helping with the investigation.

Police said the pair were being questioned in connection with allegations of "inappropriate levels of care" at the home.

A team of detectives from Bitterne CID arrived at the privately-owned care home about 8.30am and spent just over half an hour at the property before leading the couple out.

The pair looked bewildered as they were put into an unmarked police car and were driven away for questioning.

Police confirmed two people were being quizzed at Southampton Central police station.

Detectives confirmed they were questioning the home's owners and management.

Det Insp Richard Pearson, head of Bitterne CID, said: "Police have today been working with Southampton social services and the National Care Standards Commission to respond to allegations that some residents at the privately-run Everest rest home were subjected to inappropriate levels of care.

"Today the agencies have together inspected the premises and the owners and management are assisting with the inquiry.

"All agencies will ensure that appropriate levels of care are maintained for residents and Southampton social services are contacting relatives to give them an update."

The police investigation is understood to follow concerns about the treatment of elderly residents at the rest home, which is situated in a busy residential street near the Southampton University campus. The Everest is described on Hampshire County Council's website as a long-stay privately-owned residential home catering for 20 residents aged 55-plus.

The Everest is registered for both mental health and physically-disabled residents, including those who are wheelchair users, incontinent, prone to wandering or are behaviourally challenging.

The home is a member of the Chandler's Ford-based Hampshire Care Association, which represents the owners of residential and nursing homes across the county.