Eight children rushed to hospital after ‘falling ill' at summer camp as pensioner, 76, arrested for ‘poisoning'
Police were called to the event in Stathern, Leicestershire, after several children fell ill.
The report was made "by a third party" on Monday, July 27, cops said.
East Midlands Ambulance service set up a triage centre at nearby Plungar village hall to treat the youngsters.
Paramedics decided to transport eight children to hospital.
Leicestershire Police have since arrested a 76-year-old man on suspicion of administering poison/a noxious thing with intent to injure/aggrieve/annoy.
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He remains in custody while East Midlands Special Operations Unit's Major Incident Team carry out their investigation.
The force has also referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
All eight children have thankfully been discharged from hospital.
A spokesperson for the force said: "The investigation is now being led by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit's Major Incident Team (MIT).
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"This is to allow a full and thorough investigation to take place with dedicated resources.
"Both detectives and uniformed officers from the Melton and Rutland Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA) remain in Stathern today carrying out further enquiries and to establish the circumstances of the incident as well as providing reassurance to families affected as well as the local community."
Detective Inspector Neil Holden, the senior investigating officer, added: '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.'
A dedicated Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has been created.
Anyone with any information has been urged to report it online.
1
A triage centre was set up to treat the youngsters at Plungar village hall
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Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Man (76) arrested after eight children ‘poisoned' at summer camp
"The reports of this incident are clearly shocking and deeply concerning," a local MP said after the incident saw eight children hospitalised. The man was arrested at the scene and remains in custody. Photo: Jacob King/PA Wire A 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of administering poison at a summer camp. Photo: Jacob King/PA Wire 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 English village of Stathern, Leicestershire, 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 the scene and 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. A 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of administering poison at a summer camp. Photo: Jacob King/PA Wire 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. A general view of the scene in Stathern, Leicestershire. Photo: Jacob King/PA Wire News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, July 31 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."
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Eight children rushed to hospital after ‘falling ill' at summer camp as pensioner, 76, arrested for ‘poisoning'
A PENSIONER has been arrested for "administering poison" at a summer camp after eight children were rushed to hospital. Police were called to the event in Stathern, Leicestershire, after several children fell ill. The report was made "by a third party" on Monday, July 27, cops said. East Midlands Ambulance service set up a triage centre at nearby Plungar village hall to treat the youngsters. Paramedics decided to transport eight children to hospital. Leicestershire Police have since arrested a 76-year-old man on suspicion of administering poison/a noxious thing with intent to injure/aggrieve/annoy. Read More He remains in custody while East Midlands Special Operations Unit's Major Incident Team carry out their investigation. The force has also referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). All eight children have thankfully been discharged from hospital. A spokesperson for the force said: "The investigation is now being led by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit's Major Incident Team (MIT). Most read in The Sun "This is to allow a full and thorough investigation to take place with dedicated resources. "Both detectives and uniformed officers from the Melton and Rutland Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA) remain in Stathern today carrying out further enquiries and to establish the circumstances of the incident as well as providing reassurance to families affected as well as the local community." Detective Inspector Neil Holden, the senior investigating officer, added: '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.' A dedicated Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has been created. Anyone with any information has been urged to report it online. 1 A triage centre was set up to treat the youngsters at Plungar village hall
The Irish Sun
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- The Irish Sun
Woman, 86, arrested after '50-year-old human remains' found buried at property
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