Latest news with #NeilHolden
Sunday World
10 hours ago
- Sunday World
Man (76) arrested after eight children ‘poisoned' at summer camp
"The reports of this incident are clearly shocking and deeply concerning," a local MP said after the incident saw eight children hospitalised. The man was arrested at the scene and remains in custody. Photo: Jacob King/PA Wire A 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of administering poison at a summer camp. Photo: Jacob King/PA Wire A 76-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of administering poison at a summer camp which led to eight children being taken to hospital. Police responded to a report of children feeling unwell at the camp in the English village of Stathern, Leicestershire, on Sunday. A triage centre was set up at a nearby village hall, and eight children were taken to hospital as a precaution and have all since been discharged, Leicestershire Police said. The man was arrested at the scene and remains in custody where he is being held on suspicion of administering poison/a noxious thing with intent to injure/aggrieve/annoy. Officers have contacted the parents or guardians of those who were taken to hospital, the force added. A 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of administering poison at a summer camp. Photo: Jacob King/PA Wire The incident is believed to have happened at Stathern Lodge, a converted farmhouse with a sports hall and catering facilities. A police cordon is in place on Canal Lane just outside the small village. Detective Inspector Neil Holden 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. "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. A general view of the scene in Stathern, Leicestershire. Photo: Jacob King/PA Wire News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, July 31 The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said: "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." Neighbours described seeing stressed parents outside the village hall in nearby Plungar, which was used as a triage centre for the children on Monday. A 28-year-old woman who lives near the village hall said: "We saw all the ambulances and police cars outside. All the kids were very guarded, they would not let anybody near it. "Everybody was pretty stressed out. There were like four police cars, critical care teams, an ambulance, there was quite a lot. It was crazy. "The parents were pretty stressed, they were here until probably 11pm." A man who also lives on the street said: "I saw maybe one girl with her dad. She had her toy with her. They were waiting around a lot. "It was a bit surreal I guess, a bit odd because it's quite quiet around here. "The parents couldn't get any access to the kids, that was the weird thing. Just been told they weren't allowed in basically. I felt for them. "It was mostly confusion from what I could tell, there were a lot of cars turning up." Local MP Ed Argar, Conservative member for Melton and Syston, encouraged the police to provide as much information as possible about the incident. "The reports of this incident are clearly shocking and deeply concerning," he said. "Our thoughts are with the young people affected, wishing them a full recovery. "While, understandably, people will have a lot of questions about what has happened, it is important we remember this is a live police criminal investigation, so I would caution against people speculating while the police do that work. "I would, however, encourage the police to provide as much information publicly as they can, as soon as they can, but without prejudicing that vital investigation."
ITV News
11 hours ago
- ITV News
‘A complex investigation': What we know so far after children 'poisoned' at summer camp
Leicestershire Police have declared a major incident after eight children were taken to hospital in a suspected poisoning. On Thursday morning, police confirmed a 76-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of intentionally poisoning the children at a summer camp in Stathern in Leicestershire. We've pulled together everything we know about the investigation so far. What have the police said? Police say the investigation is in its "very early stages" and have refused to comment on the ages or sexes of the children involved. In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Assistant Chief Constable James Avery refused to give any details about the man who has been arrested, when he was arrested, where and how long he has been in custody. The East Midlands major investigations team is taking charge of the case. A dedicated public portal has been set up for people to report any information that might be relevant. In a statement, Detective Inspector 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. '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.' What happened at the summer camp in Canal Lane? Children at a summer camp in Stathern started feeling unwell last weekend. It was reported to the police on Sunday by a "third party". It is believed the summer camp was at Stathern Lodge, a converted farmhouse with a sports hall and catering facilities. Police and people from the East Midlands Ambulance Service went to the camp following the report. East Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'We received a call at 4 pm on Monday 28 July to a private address in Plungar. "The caller reported a medical emergency. We sent a number of resources, including four paramedics in ambulance cars, ten crewed ambulances and responders from the air ambulance were also in attendance. "We transported nine patients to Queen's Medical Centre.' The children were checked by Ambulance workers and taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham. They were all later discharged. Police say they're supporting the children's families. The 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of administering poison/a noxious thing with intent to injure/aggrieve/annoy. He remains in custody. Woman, 33, who stabbed father-of-six in heart on Christmas Day jailed What has the police watchdog said? Leicestershire Police referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) on Tuesday because of "circumstances of the initial police response". The IPOC has 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.' Local MP Edward Argar, Conservative member for Melton and Syston, reacted to the shocking news. He encouraged the police to provide as much information as possible about the incident. 'The reports of this incident are clearly shocking and deeply concerning,' he said. 'Our thoughts are with the young people affected, wishing them a full recovery. 'While, understandably, people will have a lot of questions about what has happened, it is important we remember this is a live police criminal investigation, so I would caution against people speculating while the police do that work. 'I would, however, encourage the police to provide as much information publicly as they can, as soon as they can, but without prejudicing that vital investigation.'
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man, 76, arrested on suspicion of poisoning children at summer camp
A 76-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of poisoning a group of children at a summer camp in Leicestershire. Police officers, paramedics and an air ambulance were scrambled to the camp on Canal Lane in the village of Stathern at around 4pm on Sunday, 27 July, after reports that a group of children were feeling unwell. After being transported to a triage centre at the nearby village hall in Plungar, the children were assessed by the ambulance service, and eight were taken to Queen's Medical Centre as a precaution. The children had been attending a summer camp at a youth centre called Strathern Lodge, which is owned by the Christian charity Braithwaite Gospel Trust. A representative of the trust said that while it maintains the upkeep of the building, the centre is self-catered and is hired out by various organisations for education holidays and events. It has no direct involvement with the camp. The children have since been discharged from hospital, and their parents have been informed. The 76-year-old man was arrested at the camp on suspicion of administering a poison with intent to injure, and remains in police custody. Ed Argar, Conservative MP for Melton and Syston, said the reports were "clearly shocking" and "deeply concerning". "Our thoughts are with the young people affected - wishing them a full recovery," he added. He said while he understood people 'will have a lot of questions' he urged caution against people speculating about what happened while police investigate. On Thursday afternoon, a police cordon remained in place on Canal Lane just outside the small village. Two police cars and three officers were stationed at the cordon while other police vehicles were seen leaving the site. More officers could be seen in the distance beyond the cordon, which has blocked off a stretch of the road. Detective Inspector 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. Describing it as a 'complex and sensitive investigation', he added: '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. '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. An East Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said that they attended an address in Plungar at 4pm after being alerted to a 'medical emergency'. Four paramedics in ambulance cars, ten crewed ambulances and an air ambulance were sent to the scene. Meanwhile, Leicestershire Police also said it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over what it said were the 'circumstances of the initial police response'. An IOPC spokesperson said: 'We received a conduct referral on Tuesday (July 29) 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.'
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pensioner arrested over poison fears at Midlands summer camp after 8 kids fall ill
A pensioner has been taken into custody on suspicion of administering poison at a summer camp in Leicestershire where eight children fell ill. Police officers responded to a report of children feeling unwell at the camp on Canal Lane in the village of Stathern on Monday. A precautionary measure saw eight children transported to hospital after a triage centre was established at a nearby village hall. READ MORE: Council worker spends £110 on 8 8-hour trip from Birmingham Airport to holiday hotspot READ MORE: Labour rules out VPN ban in UK but issues warning to UK households Read more Mum jailed for vile tweet on day of Southport attacks could be released in weeks Leicestershire Police have confirmed that all eight children have since been discharged from hospital. A 76 year old man was arrested at the scene and remains in custody. The force stated that he is being held on suspicion of administering poison/a noxious thing with intent to injure/aggrieve/annoy. In a statement released on Thursday, the force said: "On Sunday (27 July), a report was received by Leicestershire Police concerning children feeling unwell at a summer camp in Canal Lane. The report was made by a third party. "Following the report, officers were deployed along with the East Midlands Ambulance Service to safeguard those children concerned. "A triage centre was set up in partnership with the East Midlands Ambulance Service at Plungar village hall to assess all children present at the camp. Following an initial assessment, eight children were taken to hospital as a precaution and have all since been discharged." Detective Inspector Neil Holden stated: "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. "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." The constabulary confirmed it had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to the "circumstances of the initial police response". An IOPC representative commented: "We received a conduct referral on Tuesday (July 29) 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."
CNN
15 hours ago
- CNN
Man, 76, arrested on suspicion of administering poison at UK summer camp
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.
