Vincent Chan being questioned by police

POLICE, council teams and a children’s charity have appealed for anybody affected by one of the worst cases of child abuse in the UK – let alone just Camden – to seek out support services as a nursery worker was sent to prison for 18 years.

The scale of Vincent Chan’s crimes has caused revulsion throughout the childcare industry and beyond after it emerged he sexually assaulted the toddlers he was supposed to be looking after at a Bright Horizons nursery in West Hampstead.

In some cases, the 45-year-old filmed what he was doing to them. The nursery has since closed.

In total, he pleaded guilty to 50 child sex offences, but detectives believe he may have committed many more over an 18-year period.

More than a million indecent images were found on his devices after a police scan following his arrest.

Videos of children in distress and him shouting at them were also uncovered. Police said thousands of hours had been spent trying to identify the victims.

His offending has also been linked to other education settings where his jobs included IT support, supply teaching and then a nursery assistant.

He admitted taking “upskirting” photos of girls at a secondary school, and using spy cameras in toilets at his home.

A victim impact statement from a representative of affected families read to Wood Green Crown Court on Friday, said: “The impact of Vincent Chan’s actions upon our entire community has been profound. The knowledge that he was not only capable of such acts but committed them against children within the nursery has created a permanent ache in our hearts. The lasting trauma of ‘what if’ is powerfully felt throughout our community because of Vincent Chan’s actions. It offers no closure, no reassurance, no healing and no point at which anxiety can safely end or be meaningfully processed.

“The fear we feel about the cruel violation of our children will never dissipate. Ordinary memories from early childhood are now tainted with doubt, anxiety and guilt.”

The case has lead to a national debate about safeguarding in nurseries and Hampstead and Highgate MP Tulip Siddiq has twice called for mandatory CCTV in these settings.

Other new rules are also being discussed, including whether a single member of staff can work alone.

There are also lasting questions over how Chan’s offending could have gone undetected for so long and whether earlier concerns about his behaviour had been acted on.

He was arrested on his doorstep in Finchley last October after a colleague at the Bright Horizons raised the alarm after he showed a film – a non-sexual video – of the children to them.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: “Chan’s crimes are horrific, but we will not let his name overshadow today. Our foremost responsibility throughout has been to the victims – carrying out a meticulous investigation that established the extent of the offending and ensured Chan was held to account.

“I want to thank every victim and family who engaged with us during this traumatic process. Their trust enabled us to secure further charges and today’s significant sentence.”

While there are further inquiries under way and the findings of an independent safeguarding review expected this summer, work is ongoing to maximise awareness to support helplines and other services.

The NSPCC [National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children] has launched a dedicated helpline – 0800 028 0828 – for families, professionals and anyone seeking support or wishing to raise safeguarding concerns.

Kellie Ann Fitzgerald, NSPCC assistant director for London and the South East, said: “With the right support, children who have been abused – and adults who were abused in childhood – can and do recover.

“Our specialists on the dedicated helpline are here to ensure every child, family and individual affected by Chan’s crimes receives the support they need.”

Camden Council leader Councillor Richard Olszewski said: “Today’s sentencing marks an important step in this distressing case. While nothing can undo the harm that’s been caused, I hope this outcome brings some sense of justice to those who have suffered.

“No family should ever face such an unimaginable ordeal, and our thoughts are with the children and families whose lives have been so deeply affected.

“The independent review into this case is now underway and families will be at the heart of that process. From the beginning, we have been clear that their voices must guide this work as we learn how to prevent anything like this from ever happening again.”

Access to support

The NSPCC has launched a dedicated helpline – 0800 028 0828 – for families, professionals and anyone seeking support or wishing to raise safeguarding concerns. They can also contact Camden’s Children’s Social Care team on 0207 974 3317 or email them at LBCMASHadmin@camden.gov.uk More info: camden.gov.uk/operationlanark

Families want further action

FAMILIES of children who have been identified in the police investigation into Vincent Chan’s horrific offending say they have put the nursery chain Bright Horizons “on notice” for further legal action.

Alison Millar, head of the abuse team at the law firm Leigh Day, said: “The whole nursery community has been impacted by this case. Our clients seek accountability against Chan, and also against the Bright Horizons managers and the company for the safeguarding failings that permitted a persistent offender to work with young children for almost seven years.”

She added: “It is horrifying to hear that he had been offending for a decade before he was employed at Bright Horizons Finchley Road. The families call on the relevant authorities to robustly investigate Bright Horizons’ policies and systems, including around digital safeguarding.

“Our clients say they repeatedly raised red flags. Accountability for this case cannot stop with one individual.”

An initial legal letter was sent to Bright Horizons on behalf of families in December 2025.

Leigh Day is instructed by families of children identified as victims of Chan’s child sexual abuse and image-based offending and also by families whose children were mistreated by Chan in other ways, including making videos of children humiliated or in distress.

The victims’ families say they have expressed concerns about staffing, a high staff turnover and a lack of consistency of care.

They believe that Bright Horizons as a company did not have effective safeguarding policies and systems to keep their children safe.

The company, which has 300 nurseries across the country, said in a statement: “This is a distressing time for families and all those impacted by Vincent Chan’s horrific crimes and our thoughts are first and foremost with them.

“Keeping children safe is our most important responsibility. Vincent Chan broke that trust.

“His actions were depraved and devious and go against the kindness and care our dedicated professionals provide to children each day.”

The company is awaiting the findings of the safeguarding review.