Eight Children Hospitalised, Suspect Arrested After Leicestershire Summer Camp Poisoning

Eight children attending a Christian summer camp in Stathern, Leicestershire, were hospitalized after an alleged poisoning incident, with a 76-year-old man arrested in connection. Witnesses reported that the children were separated from their distressed parents for as much as three hours at a triage center set up in a nearby village hall, leading to frustration and some parents screaming at officers demanding access. Leicestershire Police confirmed the incident was treated as a critical incident and referred their initial response to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for investigation into potential professional conduct breaches. The IOPC will examine whether there were failures in police duties that caused delays during the response. Despite multiple requests, police have not commented on the claims regarding the separation duration. Residents described the scene as chaotic and surreal, emphasizing the distress caused by the prolonged separation during the emergency response.