Stathern Lodge: Pensioner arrested over claims he poisoned Canal Lane tuck shop food after children fall ill

A man has been arrested over fears he deliberately poisoned food at a summer camp tuck shop, sending eight children to hospital.

Parents are now calling for the camp for disadvantaged children to be shut down.

The 76-year-old pensioner, who was taken into custody at a nearby pub, has been arrested on suspicion of administering poison/a noxious thing with intent to injure/aggrieve/annoy.

A triage centre was set up at a nearby village hall to assess all the children.

The camp is run by the Stathern Holiday fund, which offers holidays to children from Nottingham’s socially deprived areas.

Leicestershire Police say the alarm was raised after several children fell sick at the camp in Canal Lane, Stathern, on Sunday.

“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,” a police statement read.

“Following an initial assessment, eight children were taken to hospital as a precaution and have all since been discharged.”

One parent said she wants the camp closed down, Metro reports.

“We’re not sure it was in the food they served or if it was in the tuck shop they ran.

“They said we were able to send £5 to each child for the tuck shop.”

“I had a phone call from the police, but they couldn’t tell me anything.

“The camp should be closed down. We can’t trust anyone with our kids.”

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.”