Police probe deaths at Holmdale House Care Home, Ryde
Residents have been moved from a care home on the Isle of Wight ahead of a police inquiry into the deaths of five residents.
Isle of Wight Council acted following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report on Holmdale House Care Home in Ryde.
Its inspection found it to be inadequate in all five main areas.
The council said it had removed two residents it funded and had advised the family of a third self-funding client to find an alternative home.
The three residents were the last remaining at the home, which is registered for 31 residents.
A Hampshire Police spokeswoman confirmed a probe had started at the home.
"Hampshire Constabulary has been made aware of information about the circumstances surrounding the deaths of five former residents," she said.
"Questions have been raised around the standard of care the patients have received during their illnesses."
The privately-run home came under new management in January last year.
The CQC inspection found failings including that medicine was not given on time and properly-trained staff were not always available.
Action was not taken after a resident suffered a fall and health and safety regulations were not followed, it found.
Not all residents had a care plan and their privacy and dignity were not respected.
Martin Elliott, head of adult social care and community wellbeing at Isle of Wight Council, said: "We would like to offer our condolences to the relatives of those residents who have recently passed away."
The authority said it had started its own urgent investigation in December after concerns were raised by the CQC about standards of care, when 30 people were living at the home.
A spokesman for Holmdale House said: "The staff and management are working very hard to rectify the points raised in the CQC report and have made progress with the improvements."