Police watchdog to investigate several officers and staff in relation to summer camp abuse response

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is to investigate several officers and staff at two police forces over their response to safeguarding concerns at a summer camp where children were given sweets laced with tranquilliser.

Eight children and one adult fell ill at the camp in Stathern Lodge, Leicestershire, in July last year. On Friday 76-year-old Jon Ruben was sentenced to 23 years and 10 months imprisonment at Leicester Crown Court.

It's been confirmed this morning (Monday) that the IOPC will investigate several staff and officers at Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Police.

A spokesperson for the IOPC said: "Our investigation into Leicestershire Police’s response has now progressed and expanded to include the conduct of staff from Nottinghamshire Police."

Information was received by Nottinghamshire Police just before 7pm on 27th July raising concerns for the safety of youngsters attending the camp. The detail was logged and passed onto Leicestershire Police.

Shortly after 4pm the following day, Leicestershire Police attended the summer camp and arrested 76-year-old Jon Ruben who later admitted charges including child cruelty offences.

The IOPC say their enquiries are focused on what happened in the hours between the initial notification and police attendance at the camp.

The watchdog spokesperson added: "We have now notified two Leicestershire Police officers and three staff members that they are under gross misconduct investigation for allegedly failing to review the information passed via Nottinghamshire Police, not progressing safeguarding concerns promptly and if this may have delayed officers going to Stathern Lodge."

Two police staff members at Nottinghamshire Police have also been served with gross misconduct notices over the grading of the initial call made to the force, how information from the call was risk assessed and managed, and if this caused any delay to the police response. All notices will be kept under review as our investigation progresses.

Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire officers are under investigation. Photo: NEMM

It follows a conduct referral from Leicestershire Police on 29th July and the IOPC's decision to independently investigate.

A statement from the IOPC said: "Based on the information provided at the time from Nottinghamshire Police, we did not consider that a referral from the force was necessary. However, following an internal review which Nottinghamshire Police shared with us, we advised the force that an IOPC referral should be made. This was done in November and our investigation into Nottinghamshire Police began the following month."

IOPC Director Emily Barry said: “We know that this incident has caused shock and distress, particularly to the children and families directly affected.

“Our initial enquiries have expanded significantly and we are now looking at the way both Nottinghamshire Police and Leicestershire Police responded to the very serious concerns raised about the children who were staying at Stathern Lodge last summer.

Police pictured at the lodge last year during the investigation. Photo: NEMM archive.

“We have gathered relevant documentation regarding policies and procedures for both police forces, as well as identifying witnesses and obtaining statements. We are keeping all interested parties updated.”

A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police said: “The investigation is being led by the IOPC and therefore we are unable to comment at this stage.”

Leicestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable James Avery said: “Our focus continues to remain on the victims involved in this investigation and their families. Through Family Liaison Officers, and alongside other organisations, we continue to ensure ongoing support is in place.

“Due to circumstances surrounding the initial police response to the report which was received, Leicestershire Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in July last year.

“An independent IOPC investigation remains ongoing and we continue to co-operate with the IOPC as part of this.

“We are unable to comment further at this stage while the IOPC investigation remains ongoing.”

76-year-old jon Ruben of Ruddington was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

He was said in court that the retired vet used his 'cloak of Christianity' to drug and abuse the children at the Summer Camp.