Individual undergoes hospitalization following suspected summer camp food contamination incident
In the quiet village of Plungar, Nottingham, an unexpected event unfolded on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at a summer camp in Leicestershire. Eight children and one adult suddenly fell ill at Stathern Lodge, Canal Lane, near Melton Mowbray.
The East Midlands Ambulance Service responded promptly, setting up an emergency triage center in the Plungar village hall. The children were assessed and taken to hospital as a precaution; all have since been discharged. The adult, too, was discharged after being taken as a precaution.
The suspected poisoning incident sent shockwaves through the community, with Detective Inspector Neil Holden, the senior investigating officer, expressing concern for parents, guardians, and the surrounding community. He emphasized the complexity and sensitivity of the investigation, promising updates as and when possible.
A 76-year-old man was arrested at the camp on suspicion of intentionally poisoning the children by administering a poison or noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy. He remains in police custody. The arrest followed a third-party report of children feeling unwell at the summer camp. Leicestershire Police declared a major incident, and the East Midlands major investigations team is leading the case.
While the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) typically handles investigations into police conduct, there is no public information about an IOPC investigation into this case as of early August 2025. Coverage focuses on police investigative progress and the suspect’s arrest, with no mention of IOPC involvement.
However, it has been confirmed that the IOPC's investigation will examine whether there were any breaches of professional behaviour that resulted in a delay in Leicestershire Police's response to the incident. The IOPC's assessment team has examined all available evidence in the case, and the investigation will be independent.
The investigation is in its early stages, and police are working closely with children’s services to ensure safeguarding. A dedicated public portal has been established for information sharing. The exact timeline of the police response to the incident is still unclear, but ten crewed ambulances, along with paramedics and responders from the air ambulance, were sent to the incident.
As the investigation progresses, the community, parents, and guardians will be kept informed. The focus remains on ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the children involved and bringing those responsible to justice.
- The mysterious illness at Stathern Lodge has sparked interest in the science community, with experts investigating the possible causes and effects, aiming to prevent similar incidents in health-and-wellness events in the future.
- Amidst the ongoing crime-and-justice investigation in Plungar, local news outlets have also covered general news stories on the community's response, the establishment of support groups, and discussions on the importance of safeguarding in community events.
