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Nursery worker admits 26 offences in major Met child abuse case
The case has increased concern about safeguarding and digital monitoring in early years settings across London.
A nursery worker from north London has admitted 26 child sexual abuse offences after a Metropolitan Police investigation uncovered contact offending and indecent images involving very young children.
Vincent Chan, 45, of Finchley, entered guilty pleas at Wood Green Crown Court on 3 December to a series of sexual assaults and offences linked to the taking and making of illegal images.
Crown Courts in England and Wales handle the most serious criminal cases, including offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
The investigation began after a colleague at a West Hampstead nursery reported disturbing footage on a work device, triggering a safeguarding response involving the Met, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the NSPCC and local partners.
Four children have so far been identified as victims of contact offending or indecent imagery. Chan is due to be sentenced on 23 January, in a hearing expected to consider the gravity of the offences and relevant sentencing guidelines for child sexual abuse.
Chan admitted five counts of sexual assault of a child by penetration and four counts of sexual assault by touching, as well as 11 counts of taking indecent images and six counts of making indecent images of children.
The indecent image charges cover categories A, B and C, where category A under UK law includes the most serious material, such as penetrative sexual activity or sadism involving children.
He was first arrested on 11 June 2024 after a staff member reported he had been recording children on a nursery-issued iPad and manipulating the footage with added visual effects and music.
Officers later seized 69 digital devices from his home and workplace, and specialist digital forensics teams examined the material for evidence of contact offending and image offences.
The Metropolitan Police have described the case as a serious abuse of trust by a nursery worker who offended within an environment where children should have been safest.
Families whose children attended the nursery have been contacted directly and offered specialist support, including access to local safeguarding services and trauma-informed counselling.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, who led the Met’s investigation, said:
“Child sexual abuse is one of the most horrific crimes imaginable, and Chan’s offending spanned years, revealing a calculated and predatory pattern of abuse.
He infiltrated environments that should have been safe havens for children, exploiting the trust of families and the wider community to conceal his actions and prey on the most vulnerable.
“Our investigation remains ongoing, and we are continuing to review digital devices and assess Chan’s conduct across all relevant settings.
We recognise the member of staff who raised their concerns, as without that first report of child cruelty Chan’s abuse could have continued unchecked, putting countless more children at risk.
“These appalling offences have caused deep shock and distress. We thank the community for its continued cooperation and reaffirm our commitment to supporting victims and their families.
If you have any concerns, please contact the dedicated NSPCC helpline on 0800 028 0828 for specialist support. We are working closely with the NSPCC to ensure every family affected receives the help they need.”
Leigh Day, the law firm representing some of the families whose children attended the nursery at the time of the offending, said parents were still trying to understand the extent of what had happened but welcomed the guilty plea.
Leigh Day, representing some of the families who attended the nursery at the time of the offending, have issued the following statement:
"As parents we are still trying to process the sickening discovery that our children were subjected to despicable abuse by Vincent Chan at the nursery.
“In admitting the charges, we are spared the prospect of hearing Vincent Chan's crimes at the nursery described in graphic detail in a trial. We trust the judge to pass the strongest sentence to fit the crimes Vincent Chan has committed against young children, innocent victims who could not fight back.
“We would like to thank the Metropolitan Police Service for their assistance and support so far, but appreciate that their investigations in this case are not yet complete.”
For parents and carers, the case raises pressing questions about how nurseries control staff access to devices and monitor image-taking in child-facing settings.
In England, early years providers must follow the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage framework, which requires robust safeguarding policies and prompt reporting of concerns to local authorities.
Nurseries are also registered and inspected by Ofsted, which can take enforcement action where safeguarding standards are not met.
The discovery that some offending took place during routine nursery sessions, while Chan was responsible for supervising children, has heightened anxiety for families beyond the immediate setting.
The investigation also underlines how digital devices, including tablets and phones, can be misused by trusted adults if controls are weak or oversight is limited.
Official statistics in England and Wales show a long-term rise in offences involving indecent images of children, a trend linked by police and charities to the growth of digital sharing and improved detection technology.
The category system for illegal images (A, B and C) guides sentencing, with the most serious category often resulting in lengthy prison terms.
The Sentencing Council sets out factors courts must consider in child sexual offence cases, including abuse of trust and the age of victims.
Child protection organisations, including the NSPCC, continue to call for stronger online safety measures and increased resources for specialist police units.
Families or members of the public who wish to contact detectives about Chan can email OpLanark@met.police.uk.
Reports can also be made via 101 using CAD3697/1DEC, while emergencies should be reported through 999.
The NSPCC’s dedicated helpline, 0800 028 0828, remains available for anyone worried about a child’s welfare and can provide referrals to local services.
The Metropolitan Police will continue reviewing the 69 seized devices to confirm all relevant material has been identified, a process that may lead to further safeguarding steps or additional legal action.
Chan’s guilty pleas remove the need for a trial, but the court will still consider evidence and submissions at sentencing on 23 January.
Families will remain in contact with liaison officers and support services, and the nursery is working with safeguarding partners on any required improvements.
The case has also renewed attention on oversight within early years settings, including inspection standards, staff training and the use of digital devices.
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