Man, 76, arrested on suspicion of administering poison at UK summer camp

CNN

6 days ago

A 76-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of administering poison after several children became ill at a summer camp in England, police said Thursday.
After an initial report was made by a third party on Sunday, officers and ambulance workers were deployed to the camp in the village of Stathern, Leicestershire, central England, where the children were assessed.
Eight children were taken to hospital. All have since been discharged and their parents and guardians have been contacted by officers, Leicestershire Police said in a statement.
The arrested man is in custody 'on suspicion of administering poison/a noxious thing with intent to injure/aggrieve/annoy,' the force said.
'We understand the concern this incident will have caused to parents, guardians and the surrounding community,' said Detective Inspector Neil Holden, the senior investigating officer.
He added that officers were working with partner agencies, including children's services, 'to ensure full safeguarding is provided to the children involved.'
'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,' Holden said.
The East Midlands Special Operations Unit's Major Incident Team (MIT) is leading the investigation and anyone with any information is being asked to contact police.
The force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over what it says were the 'circumstances of the initial police response' to the incident, though no further details have been provided.