Metropolitan Police officers have analyzed 69 electronic devices as part of one of the force’s most complex child sexual abuse investigations, leading to a former nursery worker admitting 30 additional offences.
Vincent Chan, 45, from Stanhope Avenue in Finchley, appeared at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where he entered guilty pleas to charges spanning multiple locations and years of offending.
The British national admitted 12 counts of taking and making indecent images of children, one count of sexual assault, 11 counts of voyeurism, and six counts of outraging public decency. The crimes relate to 16 victims, including 10 individuals who were children at the time.
Metropolitan Police have worked to identify all victims involved, though some remain unidentified due to the complex nature and scale of Chan’s criminal activity. Officers discovered a significant volume of material during their examination of the seized devices.
Chan’s offending extended across multiple workplaces where he held positions of trust with access to young girls. Before his employment at a West Hampstead nursery, he worked at another educational setting in North London between 2007 and 2017.
Evidence recovered from the devices revealed covert filming operations at his former workplace. Officers found Chan had used cameras to capture upskirting images of children on the premises. Footage also showed him recording videos of himself engaging in sexual acts whilst alone at the location.
Detectives uncovered hidden cameras placed throughout Chan’s own residence in Finchley. Investigators believe these covert devices were installed with the intention of capturing private activities, including individuals changing clothes.
The examination also revealed Chan had filmed himself sexually assaulting a woman whilst she slept, an offence believed to have occurred at a property in Finchley.
Chan was arrested on 11 June 2024, at which point officers seized his electronic equipment. Initial analysis uncovered hundreds of pictures and videos documenting child sexual offences. Officers conducted a comprehensive review of all personal devices, extending the investigation beyond his initial conviction.
On 3 December 2025, Chan had previously entered guilty pleas to 26 charges related to separate child sexual offences. He was charged with 15 additional counts on 16 January before being charged with another 15 counts on 29 January.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, leading the investigation, described Chan as “a dangerous and predatory individual” whose offending scale was shocking. He noted Chan’s history demonstrated a pattern of seeking positions involving contact with young girls, enabling unchecked criminality over an extended period.
Chan will be sentenced for all charges at Wood Green Crown Court on Thursday, 12 February. He remains in custody.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are working closely with the NSPCC to provide support to affected families. A dedicated NSPCC helpline operates on 0800 028 0828 for anyone requiring specialist support.
