Eight children have been taken to the hospital after a suspected poisoning incident at a summer holiday camp in Leicestershire. Police responded to an emergency report after several kids suddenly fell ill while attending a camp on Canal Lane, Stathern.
Medical teams from East Midlands Ambulance Service quickly arrived at the scene. They set up a temporary triage centre to assess all children present and offer immediate medical care.
After examining the children, paramedics transported eight of them to the hospital as a precaution. Fortunately, all the children were later discharged and allowed to return home.
Leicestershire Police have confirmed that the families of the affected children have been informed. The situation is being treated very seriously.
A 76-year-old man was arrested at the camp. He is suspected of deliberately giving the children a harmful or poisonous substance with the intention of causing harm or distress. He remains in custody as investigations continue.
The East Midlands Special Operations Unit’s Major Incident Team has now taken over the case. Their detectives are working alongside uniformed officers from the Melton and Rutland area, who remain in the village to carry out further checks.
Police say they are providing support and reassurance to families and local residents while investigations continue.
Detective Inspector Neil Holden, who is leading the case, acknowledged how upsetting the incident is for parents and the surrounding community. He confirmed that the police are in close contact with all families affected.
He also noted that the police are working with children’s services to make sure proper support is given to the kids involved. Several officers and specialists remain at the scene as part of the ongoing investigation.
Leicestershire Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to review how they initially responded to the incident.
To assist with the case, the force has also created a Major Incident Public Portal where members of the public can submit any helpful information.
