A second woman has today been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a care home resident following the screening of a TV documentary a fortnight ago.

Alleged mistreatment of residents at the Old Deanery in Bocking was exposed by secret filming in a BBC Panorama programme, broadcast on April 30.

Two days later officers arrested a woman in her 40s at her home in Braintree on suspicion of assaulting a resident at the home.

She has since been released on police bail until the end of July, pending further enquiries.

Officers today arrested a second person, a woman in her 30s, at her home in Braintree on suspicion of assaulting a resident at the care home.

She too has been bailed until the end of July.

Essex Police had been denied the opportunity to view the Panorama show in advance of its screening, meaning officers could only begin investigating after its broadcast.

A police spokesman said: "Essex Police is keen to hear from anyone who wishes to report any allegations of crime or neglect at the Old Deanery Care Home. "

Anyone with information should call 01245 282103 or email op.zest@essex.pnn.police.uk