Detectives investigating allegations of drug tampering at Colchester’s hospitals have arrested a woman.

Dr Lucy Moore, interim chief executive at Colchester Hospital University Foundation NHS Trust (CHUFT), revealed at a trust board meeting yesterday that “a number of incidents” where controlled drugs had been interfered with were being looked into.

As well as a hospital investigation, the matter has also been referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the police.

Today an Essex Police spokesman said: “Detectives in Colchester investigating alleged irregularities concerned controlled drugs at Essex County Hospital and Colchester General Hospital have arrested a woman on suspicion of theft. The 41-year-old woman, from Dunmow, was arrested on June 11 and has been questioned and released on bail until July 17. The matter was referred to police by CHUFT, and enquiries continue.”

It is understood the woman is an agency worker not directly employed by CHUFT.