Police Appeal For Calm In Gravesend

More than a hundred people have attended two vigils in Gravesend for a baby boy who was admitted to hospital in a critical condition.

The one month old was taken to Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent, on Thursday, before being transferred to King's College Hospital in London. Police say his condition is improving, and he is now serious but stable.

A 35-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, both from Gravesend, have been arrested in connection with the incident and released on bail until Thursday, December 8.

Police say this is to allow them to carry out further investigations to find out why the baby had to go to hospital and if any offences have been committed.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Pritchard said: "Kent Police is ensuring all necessary enquiries are carried out and that what needs to be done, is done. We shall be talking further with doctors, whose priority over the last few days has been to improve the child’s condition rather than carry out further tests and procedures.”

Local people attended vigils in Gravesend on Saturday evening and on Sunday afternoon. They lit candles, brought teddies, said prayers for the little boy and held a minute’s silence.

Superintendent Stuart Kehily has appealed for calm from the "highly-charged'' local community until the full facts of the incident were known.

He said: "Some media articles (over the weekend) contained speculation about what has happened to the baby. This speculation has generated unhelpful rumours and increased community tension in this part of Gravesend.

"I can understand the anger incidents like this can cause in the community, but I strongly warn people against jumping to early conclusions and seeking some form of retribution.

"Any form of vigilante behaviour will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly by Kent Police".