Vincent Chan preyed on children as young as three
The parents of four children sexually assaulted by a sick nursery worker in North London have slammed management for missing safeguarding opportunities. Vincent Chan’s 19-month campaign of abuse at the West Hampstead centre went undetected until a co-worker reported him for filming disturbing iPad footage in June 2024.
The 45-year-old has today (December 3) pleaded guilty to 26 charges involving sexual assault of a child by penetration, sexual assault of a child, taking indecent images of children, and making indecent images of children. Police previously uncovered more than 26,000 depraved photos and videos on the paedophile’s devices, abusing the trust afforded him as a caregiver.
In a statement, the victim’s families called for clarity on how his despicable crimes were missed for so long. They said: “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 feel that [the nursery] has failed us, and we want answers. How was someone like Vincent Chan employed? Why did safeguarding systems fail completely? And how were such horrific crimes against children able to continue for so long without the staff responsible for safeguarding at [the nursery] acting?
“We are concerned that failures in management and supervision at [the nursery] allowed this abuse to go undetected, and we are committed to securing accountability for our children.”
The victims, aged as young as three, continue to receive specialist support. A dedicated NSPCC helpline has also been set up for all families whose children attended the nursery to discuss concerns and access support.
Chan, of Stanhope Avenue in Finchley, was first arrested on suspicion of child cruelty on June 11 last year when another staff member reported he had been capturing footage of the kids using a nursery-issued iPad. Police say he would then distort the footage by “adding superimpositions and music for comedic effect”, and even shared still images with colleagues.
Officers seized 25 digital devices from his home and three from the nursery, with forensics teams forced to trawl thousands of horrendous images. Chan was rearrested on September 8 and charged with a catalogue of child sex offences.
A further 26 digital devices were seized from his home and 15 more from the nursery. Detectives are still looking at the materials but have not found further evidence of contact offences, the Metropolitan Police said.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, who led the 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.”
Chan is due to be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on January 23, 2026.
What has the nursery said?
A spokesperson for the nursery said: “We are shocked and appalled by this individual’s horrific crimes. Our thoughts are first and foremost with the children and families affected, and we are committed to offering support to them during this incredibly difficult time.
“Our organisation’s mission is to protect and nurture young children. We employ over 8,500 experienced colleagues in our nurseries who work tirelessly and with dedication every day to look after the children in our care. This individual’s actions representnot only a violation of the victims, but also a profound betrayal of the trust placed in him by families and colleagues.
“We have extensive safeguarding practices in place, designed to create safe environments for children to learn and grow. These include rigorous recruitment vetting and checking procedures. The individual involved had an enhanced DBS and was reference-checked.
“Whilst this individual’s actions came to light after a colleague raised concerns and followed our whistle-blowing procedures to report him, we fully accept that the evidence shows the individual was able to commit these crimes despite our safeguarding measures.In light of this, we have commissioned an external expert in this field to undertake a full review of our safeguarding practices.
“We have and will continue to co-operate fully and transparently with the Police investigation. We also understand this case will be the subject of a Child Safeguarding Practice Review (CSPR), and we are committed to supporting this, ensuring the lessons can be taken across the sector.
“We would welcome talking to our nursery families if they have concerns about any press reports or social media comments to reassure them regarding the safety and protection of their child in our nurseries.”
If you wish to speak to Met detectives or make a report relating to Chan, you can contact police via [email protected] or 101, quoting CAD3697/1DEC. Support is available from NSPCC on 0800 028 0828.
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