‘Every parent’s worst nightmare’ as 76-year-old man detained on suspicion of administering poison at Stathern Lodge holiday camp
Eight children have been taken to hospital after an alleged poisoning at a summer holiday camp, as police arrested a 76-year-old man.
Leicestershire Police have revealed they were called to a report of youngsters feeling unwell at a camp in Stathern, near Melton Mowbray.
Residents in the nearby village of Plungar have described ‘chaotic’ scenes following the suspected poisoning – in what was described as ‘every parent’s worst nightmare’. Paramedics helped set up a triage centre to assess all children present at the camp.
‘Chaotic’ Emergency Response
June Grant, 83, former bookings secretary at its village hall, said: ‘I live near the village hall and there were so many sirens.
You could hear the ambulances and police cars whizzing around the village.
It was pretty scary but such good news that the children are okay.
Another resident, who lives near the hall, said: ‘It was pretty chaotic with emergency workers running around everywhere. I saw a few children in tears as they walked into the hall.
It’s like every parent’s worst nightmare dropping your child at summer camp and then being told they might have been poisoned.
Historic Village Setting
Another local resident said: ‘I’ve lived here 30 years and I’ve never heard of anything like that.
“Through the holidays kids come here and do activities – inner city kids, they bring them for the nature. There’s a wooded area at the back and they’ve created paths.’
The incident occurred at Stathern Lodge on Canal Lane in Stathern, a picturesque village in the Vale of Belvoir about 10 miles north of Melton Mowbray. The camp facility has been used for children’s activities for years, taking advantage of the rural setting and woodland areas.
Police received the report on Monday, 28 July, from a third party who raised concerns about children feeling unwell at the summer camp.
Arrest and Investigation
Officers said a 76-year-old man was arrested at the camp on suspicion of administering poison or a ‘noxious thing’ with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy, and he remained in custody.
Leicestershire Police said in a statement: ‘Following an initial assessment, eight children were taken to hospital as a precaution and have all since been discharged.
‘Officers have contacted the parents or guardians of those children who were taken to hospital.’
The investigation is now being led by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit’s Major Incident Team.
Triage Centre Established
Following the report, officers were deployed along with the East Midlands Ambulance Service to safeguard the children. A triage centre was set up in partnership with paramedics at Plungar village hall to assess all children present at the camp.
The emergency response saw multiple police vehicles and ambulances descending on the quiet rural villages, with a police cordon established at Canal Lane blocking off a stretch of the road.
Two police cars and three officers were stationed at the cordon on Wednesday, while other police vehicles were seen leaving the site. More officers could be seen in the distance beyond the cordon.
Reassurance for Community
Detectives and uniformed officers from the Melton and Rutland Neighbourhood Policing Area remain in Stathern today carrying out further enquiries. They are also intending to provide ‘reassurance to families affected as well as the local community’, Leicestershire Police added.
Det Insp 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.
‘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.’
Complex Investigation
He added: ‘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.
Police have not revealed details about the type of poison or noxious substance allegedly used, as the investigation continues.
The arrest offence – administering poison or a noxious thing with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy – can cover a wide range of substances and circumstances under UK law.
Police Watchdog Involvement
The force told of having referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct watchdog, saying this was related to the ‘circumstances of the initial police response.
The IOPC said: ‘We received a conduct referral on Tuesday 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.
Public Appeal for Information
A dedicated Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has been created.
Anyone with any information in relation to the investigation is asked to report online here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/33EM25I63-PO1.
Those who would prefer to speak to an officer can contact Leicestershire Police on 101 quoting reference 25*442269 or online at www.online.police.uk.
The incident has shocked the local community in this normally quiet part of rural Leicestershire, with parents across the area expressing concern about the safety of summer holiday activities.
Summer camps and holiday clubs are popular during the school holidays, providing activities and childcare for working parents. The incident at Stathern Lodge has raised questions about safety procedures at such facilities.
Investigation Continues
As the Major Incident Team continues its investigation, police are working to establish exactly what happened at the camp and how the children came to be exposed to what officers describe as poison or a noxious substance.
The fact that all eight children have been discharged from hospital will provide some relief to anxious parents, though the investigation into how they came to be poisoned remains ongoing.
The 76-year-old man arrested at the scene has not been named by police and remains in custody for questioning by detectives.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses and more details emerge about this disturbing incident at what should have been a safe summer holiday activity for children.
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