Three teachers had their drinks spiked with laxatives at a special school.

Police are treating the incident as a poisoning.

The three members of staff at a children's support unit at The Avenue, Benfleet, had taken a break for lunch yesterday at about 2pm.

When the teachers, at the centre for children out of mainstream education, finished their tea they found two white pills dissolving at the bottom of each of their cups.

Sgt Kevin Diable-White said: "They were obviously very concerned and after discussions with a doctor learned the pills were just laxatives.

"Nevertheless, this incident is being treated as a poisoning."

Four teenage boys and one teenage girl, all aged around 15, were seen in the area at the time the drinks were spiked.

Sgt Diable-White said: "Police will be speaking to a possible suspect today."

Published Tuesday, June 24, 2003

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