Man arrested after children ‘poisoned’ at summer camp

A 76-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of administering poison at a summer camp which led to eight children being taken to hospital.

Police responded to a report of children feeling unwell at the camp in the village of Stathern, Leicestershire, on Sunday.

Leicestershire Police attended the summer camp on Monday, following the initial report to the force on Sunday.

A triage centre was set up at a nearby village hall, and eight children were taken to hospital as a precaution and have all since been discharged, Leicestershire Police said.

The man was arrested at a nearby public house on Monday evening, police said.

He remains in custody where he is being held on suspicion of administering poison/a noxious thing with intent to injure/aggrieve/annoy.

Officers have contacted the parents or guardians of those who were taken to hospital, the force added.

The incident is believed to have happened at Stathern Lodge, a converted farmhouse with a sports hall and catering facilities.

A police cordon is in place on Canal Lane just outside the small village.

Detective Inspector Neil Holden said: “We understand the concern this incident will have caused to parents, guardians and the surrounding community.

“We are in contact with the parents and guardians of all children concerned.

“Please be reassured that we have several dedicated resources deployed and are working with partner agencies including children’s services to ensure full safeguarding is provided to the children involved.

“We also remain at the scene to carry out enquiries into the circumstances of what has happened and to continue to provide advice and support in the area.

“This is a complex and sensitive investigation and we will continue to provide updates to both parents and guardians and the public as and when we can.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said: “Our assessment team has examined all available evidence and concluded the matter should be independently investigated by the IOPC.

“The investigation will look at whether there were any breaches of professional behaviour – namely a failure to carry out duties and responsibilities – that resulted in a delay in Leicestershire Police’s response to what was later declared a critical incident.”

Neighbours described seeing stressed parents outside the village hall in nearby Plungar, which was used as a triage centre for the children on Monday.

A 28-year-old woman who lives near the village hall said: “We saw all the ambulances and police cars outside. All the kids were very guarded, they would not let anybody near it.

“Everybody was pretty stressed out. There were like four police cars, critical care teams, an ambulance, there was quite a lot. It was crazy.

“The parents were pretty stressed, they were here until probably 11pm.”

A man who also lives on the street said: “I saw maybe one girl with her dad. She had her toy with her. They were waiting around a lot.

“It was a bit surreal I guess, a bit odd because it’s quite quiet around here.

“The parents couldn’t get any access to the kids, that was the weird thing. Just been told they weren’t allowed in basically. I felt for them.

“It was mostly confusion from what I could tell, there were a lot of cars turning up.”

Local MP Ed Argar, Conservative member for Melton and Syston, encouraged the police to provide as much information as possible about the incident.

“The reports of this incident are clearly shocking and deeply concerning,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with the young people affected, wishing them a full recovery.

“While, understandably, people will have a lot of questions about what has happened, it is important we remember this is a live police criminal investigation, so I would caution against people speculating while the police do that work.

“I would, however, encourage the police to provide as much information publicly as they can, as soon as they can, but without prejudicing that vital investigation.”