76-year-old man arrested on suspicion of poisoning children at U.K. summer camp

LONDON — A 76-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of administering poison after children fell ill at a summer camp in central England, police said in a statement Thursday.

Eight children were taken to the hospital, police in Leicestershire, a county around 100 miles north of London, said. All of them have since been discharged.

The investigation began after police were alerted by a third party about children feeling sick at a summer camp near the village of Stathern, the statement said, adding that officers and ambulance crews were dispatched to the scene to further safeguard affected children.

A triage center was set up at a nearby village hall to assess the children, and officers contacted the parents or guardians of the kids who were taken to the hospital.

A 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of administering poison or “a noxious thing with intent to injure/aggrieve/annoy. He remains in custody at this time,” the statement added.

“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,” Detective Inspector Neil Holden, the senior investigating officer, said in the statement.

He added that officers remain at the scene to continue inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident, and to provide advice and support.

Local lawmaker Ed Argar, the member of Parliament for Melton and Syston, told the BBC that the reports were “clearly shocking” and “deeply concerning.”

“Our thoughts are with the young people affected, wishing them a full recovery,” he said, adding that he “would caution against people speculating while the police do that work.”