Stathern summer camp police response under investigation

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened gross misconduct investigations into officers and staff over how safeguarding concerns at Stathern Lodge were handled; the camp leader was arrested the next day and has since been convicted and jailed.

Police watchdog investigators are examining how two forces handled safeguarding concerns raised about children at a summer camp last July. The concerns related to children staying at Stathern Lodge and were referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Nottinghamshire Police logged a call about possible risks on the evening of 27 July 2025 and passed information to Leicestershire Police. Leicestershire officers attended the following day and arrested the camp leader, who has since been convicted and sentenced. Key points: - The IOPC has served gross misconduct notices to two Leicestershire officers and three staff, and to two Nottinghamshire staff, over how information and risk were assessed and managed. - Nottinghamshire Police recorded a safeguarding call at about 19:00 BST on 27 July 2025 and passed details to Leicestershire Police. - Leicestershire Police attended the site the next day, arrested the camp leader, and a prosecution later led to conviction and a prison sentence. - The IOPC inquiry followed a referral from Leicestershire Police and remains ongoing. Summary: The investigations are focused on whether the police response, including how the initial call was graded and risk assessed, affected the timing of officers attending. The camp leader has been convicted and sentenced. The Independent Office for Police Conduct continues its inquiry. Undetermined at this time.