Man, 76, Arrested in Suspected UK Summer Camp Poisoning

A 76-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of administering poison after eight children fell ill and were taken to hospital from a summer camp in Stathern, Leicestershire.

Emergency services were called to the rural site following a report that several children were feeling unwell. The initial alert was made on Sunday by a third party, according to Leicestershire Police, but officers and paramedics did not attend the scene until the following day.

A temporary triage centre was set up at Plungar village hall nearby to assess the children. Eight of them were taken to hospital as a precaution and have since been discharged.

The children had been attending a summer camp at Stathern Lodge, a youth centre owned by the Braithwaite Gospel Trust, located about a mile from the village. A trust representative stated that the centre is a self-catering facility that had been rented out, and the trust was not directly involved in the camp’s operations.

Police arrested the elderly man on suspicion of administering poison or a harmful substance with intent to harm, annoy, or distress. He is currently in custody.

Due to concerns over how officers initially responded, Leicestershire Police referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The investigation is being led by the East Midlands major incident team.

Detective Inspector Neil Holden, the lead investigator, described the case as “complex and sensitive” and acknowledged the worry it has caused among parents and the local community. He confirmed that authorities are in contact with the families of the affected children and are working alongside partner organisations, including children’s services, to ensure their safety and support.

Officers remain on site conducting inquiries and offering community reassurance. Additional police personnel from the Melton and Rutland neighbourhood team are assisting in the investigation and supporting local families.

The IOPC confirmed it received a referral on Tuesday concerning the police’s initial handling of the case. After reviewing the available evidence, the IOPC decided to independently investigate whether there was a failure by police to carry out their responsibilities, potentially causing a delay in declaring the situation a critical incident.