Metropolitan PoliceThe government is considering making CCTV compulsory in early years settings after a paedophile nursery worker abused children in north London.
Vincent Chan, 45, had passed vetting checks and worked for nearly seven years at the Bright Horizons nursery, West Hampstead before admitting to the charges.
Previously, Bright Horizons said it was “shocked and appalled” by “this individual’s horrific crimes” and commissioned an independent review of its procedures.
A local child safeguarding practice review was commissioned in December by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to “learn every lesson we can to make sure that crimes like this are guarded against at every step and every stage”.
At the time, Phillipson warned that CCTV footage in nurseries could itself lead to other forms of child abuse if misused, and appointed an advisory group to help develop guidance for the sector on the use of CCTV.
On Monday, Education Minister Olivia Bailey told the Commons that the government is “considering the mandatory use of CCTV in early years settings” as part of the review.
Labour former minister and MP for Hampstead and Highgate, Tulip Siddiq, pressed Bailey on the issue.
Bailey replied: “I thank (Siddiq) for her advocacy for her constituents in what has been an absolutely appalling case, and my thoughts remain with all of the children and families who have been affected.
“The safety of our children comes first, so we are considering the mandatory use of CCTV in early years settings through our review, which we are getting under way rapidly.”
In December, Chan pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault of a child by penetration and four counts of sexual assault of a child by touching.
He also admitted 11 counts of taking indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child, and six counts of making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child.
Chan, of Stanhope Avenue, Finchley, is expected to be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on 12 February.
