A 76-year-old man has been arrested in Leicestershire, central England, on suspicion of administering poison after several children fell ill at a summer camp, police said Thursday, July 31.
Authorities responded to the camp in the village of Stathern on Sunday, following a report made by a third party. Emergency services assessed the children on site, and eight were taken to the hospital. All have since been discharged, and their parents or guardians have been contacted.
The man remains in custody on suspicion of “administering poison or a noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy,” according to Leicestershire Police.
Detective Inspector Neil Holden acknowledged the concern caused by the incident and said the investigation remains ongoing.
“We are working closely with partner agencies, including children’s services, to ensure full safeguarding for the children involved,” he stated. “This is a complex and sensitive investigation, and we will continue to update parents, guardians, and the public when appropriate.”
Edward Argar, the Member of Parliament for the area, called the incident “shocking and deeply concerning,” while urging the public to avoid speculation during the ongoing investigation.
The East Midlands Special Operations Unit’s Major Incident Team is leading the case and has appealed for information from the public.
In addition, Leicestershire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) regarding the initial response to the incident.
An IOPC spokesperson confirmed the launch of an independent investigation, stating it would examine whether any failures in professional conduct contributed to delays in declaring the incident critical.
