POLICE have arrested a further two people in connection with inquiries linked to allegations of abuse and mistreatment of patients at Winterbourne View hospital in Hambrook.

Two men, aged 26 and 32 years, were arrested yesterday under the Mental Capacity Act and released on police bail, pending further inquiries.

Nine other people – six men and three women – have already been arrested by police and remain on police bail, pending further inquiries.

The arrests follow a BBC Panorama programme which appeared to show shocking footage of staff physically and mentally abusing vulnerable adults with learning difficulties.

The programme sparked a public outcry and government ministers have since called for an independent public inquiry into the safeguarding programme at the hospital.