Vigilantism warning over ill infant

Police warned they would deal robustly with any cases of vigilantism after an emotional vigil in Kent for a seriously ill baby taken to hospital four days ago.

Officers called for calm from the community in Gravesend after the baby, believed to be a one-month-old boy, was taken to hospital. Police have not given details of his injuries, but a man aged 35 and a 33-year-old woman have been arrested and released on bail until Thursday. The baby was later transferred to King's College Hospital in London, where his condition was described as serious but stable.

More than 100 people attended a vigil in Gravesend on Saturday, lighting candles and holding a minute's silence before the angry crowd moved to a house where one of those arrested was believed to be staying, according to reports. The crowd broke up by 11.30pm on Saturday, largely without incident. Another vigil was expected to be held last night.

Superintendent Stuart Kehily, of Kent Police, said reports about what happened to the baby had generated "unhelpful rumours".