Police have warned against vigilantism amid tensions in a community where two people have been arrested after a seriously injured baby was taken into hospital.
The boy, who is believed to be one-month old, has now been transferred to King’s College Hospital in London and is in a serious but stable condition.
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.
Superintendent Stuart Kehily
He was first admitted to Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford last Thursday and police, who have not released details of his injuries, say his condition continues to improve.
A 35-year-old man and 33-year-old woman, both from Gravesend, were arrested on suspicion of assault but have been released on bail as inquiries continue.
Two vigils for the baby were held over the weekend and were attended by more than 100 people, who lit candles and held a minute’s silence.
On Saturday, they gathered outside the house where the boy had been before he went to hospital and then moved to another, where the 35-year-old man on bail was thought to be staying.
Teddies left in tribute to the baby boy, who is in critical condition
Police reportedly had to step in when the atmosphere turned. Eyewitnesses told how items were thrown at the house and a car in the driveway was damaged.
Kent Police refused to comment specifically about any intervention in the vigil but warned reports of the baby’s injuries had generated “unhelpful rumours” and increased community tension.
Superintendent Stuart Kehily, from Kent Police, said: “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. Once again I would urge people to remain calm and to let my officers carry out their investigation.”
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Pritchard added: “We understand local concern but we would urge against speculation and second-guessing as to what may have happened.
“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.”
The little boy has now been moved to King’s College Hospital in London
At a press conference on Monday, Chief Superintendent Neil Jerome said: “We are working extremely closely with medical professionals responsible for the welfare of the baby boy to establish the exact nature and extent of the injuries.
“It is our job to establish the facts and to conduct a throrough and professional investigation. That is what we are doing. When the investigation is reaching the correct and appropriate stage, we will announce further details but I would urge the public to remain calm.”
The force stressed that it takes reports of injuries to children “extremely seriously” and that specially-trained officers are working on the case.
It described the investigation as at an “early stage” and downplayed the arrest and bail of the man and woman, calling it “routine in investigations of this nature”.
SKY News
