Families whose children came into contact with convicted nursery abuser Vincent Chan have called for a full independent investigation after it emerged concerns were raised about him years before his arrest, but he was allowed to continue working with young children.
Chan, a former worker at the Bright Horizons nursery on Finchley Road in West Hampstead, was jailed for 18 years in February after admitting 56 sexual offences against children in his care. Prosecutors described him as a "prolific sexual predator".
Concerns raised in 2021
The latest revelations centre on a complaint made in 2021, three years before Chan was reported to police. According to reports, concerns about his conduct were investigated by Bright Horizons under the oversight of Camden Council's safeguarding team, but the matter was not referred to the Metropolitan Police and Chan later returned to his role caring for children.
The disclosure has prompted anger among dozens of families, many of whom are now taking legal action against the nursery provider.
Families demand independent account
In a statement, more than 50 affected families said they wanted "a full and independent account of what happened, who knew what, when they knew it and why these decisions were made", the BBC reports.
One couple, speaking anonymously, said they were "shocked" to learn concerns had been raised years before Chan's arrest.
"We think this was an opportunity to stop this man and his vile behaviour years before this happened to our children," the father said.
Case shocked parents across London
The case shocked parents across London when it emerged Chan had secretly filmed himself abusing young children at the nursery. A police investigation later uncovered a huge cache of indecent images of children on his electronic devices. Chan was eventually exposed after colleagues raised concerns about videos he had been making of children at the nursery.
At his sentencing, a judge described Chan as a "perverse and depraved" man who had lost all sense of moral compass.
Lawyers call for answers
Lawyers representing the families said urgent questions now need answering about the handling of the 2021 complaint.
Alison Millar, a solicitor acting for a number of the parents, said families deserved to know what was known about Chan and how he came to be cleared to return to work with children.
She said the latest disclosures strengthened calls for a wider investigation into whether legal or safeguarding duties had been breached.
An independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review is already under way and is expected to report in 2027.
Camden Council said it had shared all relevant documents and information with the review team and states it remains committed to strengthening safeguarding arrangements.
Bright Horizons said it remained "appalled" by Chan's crimes and that its thoughts were with the affected children and families. The company said it was encouraging parents to share concerns with the ongoing safeguarding review, but could not comment further while that process continues.
The fresh questions over how concerns about Chan were handled are likely to intensify scrutiny of safeguarding procedures in nurseries, with families also calling for reforms including CCTV in nursery rooms, tighter rules on digital devices and stronger whistleblowing protections.
