Man, 76, arrested on suspicion of poisoning children at summer camp

Eight children were taken to hospital as a precaution after the incident

A 76-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of poisoning a group of children at a summer camp in Leicestershire.

Police officers, paramedics and an air ambulance were scrambled to the camp on Canal Lane in the village of Stathern at around 4pm on Sunday, 27 July, after reports that a group of children were feeling unwell.

After being transported to a triage centre at the nearby village hall in Plungar, the children were assessed by the ambulance service, and eight were taken to Queen’s Medical Centre as a precaution.

Locals reported “pretty stressed” parents arriving at the “crazy” scene, with many reportedly unable to see their children as they were being treated.

Leicestershire Police were called to the camp in Stathern after receiving reports that children were unwell (PA)

The children had been attending a summer camp at a youth centre called Strathern Lodge, which is owned by the Christian charity Braithwaite Gospel Trust.

A representative of the trust said that while it maintains the upkeep of the building, the centre is self-catered and is hired out by various organisations for education holidays and events. It has no direct involvement with the camp.

The children have since been discharged from hospital, and their parents have been informed.

The 76-year-old man was arrested at the camp on suspicion of administering a poison with intent to injure, and remains in police custody.

Neighbours have described chaotic scenes outside the village hall, with stressed parents reportedly unable to access their children.

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.

Neighbours have described chaotic scenes after the children were taken from the summer camp (PA)

“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.”

Ed Argar, Conservative MP for Melton and Syston, said the reports were "clearly shocking" and "deeply concerning".

"Our thoughts are with the young people affected - wishing them a full recovery," he added.

He said while he understood people “will have a lot of questions” he urged caution against people speculating about what happened while police investigate.

On Thursday afternoon, a police cordon remained in place on Canal Lane just outside the small village.

Two police cars and three officers were stationed at the cordon while other police vehicles were seen leaving the site.

The scene outside Stathern Lodge which had been hosting a children's summer camp (PA)

More officers could be seen in the distance beyond the cordon, which has blocked off a stretch of the road.

Detective Inspector Neil Holden, the senior investigating officer, 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.

Describing it as a “complex and sensitive investigation”, he added: “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.

Eight children were taken to hospital as a precaution. Police remain at the scene to carry out enquiries (PA)

“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.

An East Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said that they attended an address in Plungar at 4pm after being alerted to a “medical emergency”.

Four paramedics in ambulance cars, ten crewed ambulances and an air ambulance were sent to the scene.

Meanwhile, Leicestershire Police also said it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over what it said were the “circumstances of the initial police response”.

An IOPC spokesperson said: “We received a conduct referral on Tuesday (July 29) from Leicestershire Police relating to their handling of concerns passed to them over the wellbeing of a group of children.

“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.”