An elderly man, aged 76, has been apprehended on suspicion of administering poison after a distressing incident at a summer camp in the village of Stathern, Leicestershire, England, led to several children falling ill. The police received an initial report from a third party on Sunday, prompting a swift response from officers and ambulance personnel to assess the situation at the camp.
Eight children were subsequently hospitalised due to their conditions; however, all have since been released and their families have been informed by Leicestershire Police. The man remains in custody and is suspected of administering poison or a noxious substance with the intent to cause harm.
Detective Inspector Neil Holden, the lead investigator, acknowledged the understandable concern this incident has raised among parents and the local community. He reassured that police are collaborating with various partner agencies, including children’s services, to ensure the safety of the affected children. Holden emphasised the complexity of the ongoing investigation, assuring that regular updates will be provided to the public and families as necessary.
Local MP Edward Argar expressed his alarm at the situation, wishing the children a speedy recovery while reminding the community not to speculate during this active police investigation. The East Midlands Special Operations Unit’s Major Incident Team is currently spearheading the inquiry, and anyone with relevant information is encouraged to reach out to the authorities.
Additionally, the police force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concerning the initial response to the incident. An IOPC spokesperson indicated that their team would conduct an independent investigation to determine if there were any breaches in professional conduct, particularly regarding the timing of the response by Leicestershire Police to what was deemed a critical incident.