Kent police appeal for calm over injured baby

Police appealed for calm on Sunday after more than 100 people staged a vigil in Kent for a baby who had been admitted to hospital in a critical condition. The boy, believed to be one month old, was taken to Darent Valley Hospital in Kent on Thursday before being transferred to King's College Hospital, south-east London, where police said his condition is serious but stable. A 35-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, both from Gravesend, Kent have been arrested in connection with the incident and released on bail pending further inquiries. On Saturday evening more than 100 people attended a vigil in Westcourt, Gravesend, where candles were lit and a minute's silence held. The group then moved to a second address before dispersing at about 11.30pm. Superintendent Stuart Kehily, of Kent police, appealed for calm from the "highly charged" local community on Sunday until the full facts were known. He said: "Some media articles today contained speculation about what has happened to the baby. This speculation has generated unhelpful rumours and increased community tension in this part of Gravesend. "Kent police takes all reports involving injuries to children extremely seriously, and specially trained officers are currently carrying out a number of inquiries to establish the circumstances in this case." He said the investigation was at an early stage. "I strongly warn people against jumping to early conclusions and seeking some form of retribution," Kehily said. "Any form of vigilante behaviour will not be tolerated."