Operation Lanark 1 & 2
Operation Lanark 1 & 2
On 12th February 2026 Vincent Chan was sentenced at Wood Green Court to 18 years in jail in respect of 56 charges of a sexual nature predominantly against child victims. A summary of all these offences can be found here. These offences took place over nearly 20 years across settings in Camden and Barnet.
For offences which took place in Barnet, 15 offences relate to non-contact offences, including being in possession of Indecent Images of Children and Outraging Public Decency. These took place at St. Mary's Primary School, Dollis Park, Finchley, N3 1BT in Barnet between 2007 and 2017. Chan pleaded guilty to these offences on 29th January 2026.
The Met Police do not believe any of the images were forwarded to other individuals or uploaded to the internet. In light of the complex nature and scale of Chan’s criminality, Met officers have worked sensitively to identify victims and have contacted hundreds of families whose children have attended the school. At this time, none of the victims could be identified, bar one. This police investigation has been known as Operation Lanark 2.
Operation Lanark 1: Previously on 3 December 2025, Chan pleaded guilty to 26 charges related to other child sexual offences which took place at a now-closed Bright Horizons (a private provider) nursery in Camden between 2017 - 2024. Vincent Chan pleaded guilty to these offences in December 2025. We have been working closely with our colleagues at Camden Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) in order to co-ordinate a response to all those affected.
As a result of this court case, the Barnet Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP) will be actively contributing to the Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (local CSPR) being led by Camden Safeguarding Children Partnership. This covers the period 1 November 2006 – 12th February 2026. This review will be led by independent experts with experience in early years care, education and safeguarding and is expected to be completed by Summer 2026. You can find more information on this review here . Later, offences under Operation Lanark 2 were included under the same local CSPR.
The Barnet Safeguarding Children Partnership is also requesting, in line with Children Act 2004, Section 11 safeguarding audits from Early Years providers in Barnet. This includes the use and monitoring of CCTV in settings.
Why we are producing this information and what we are putting in place to support you:
We know this has been extremely upsetting and deeply concerning and we are here to support anyone who has been affected by this. In respect of Operation Lanark 2 we have identified 3 categories of people potentially affected by Vincent Chan. They are:
- Between 2007 and 2017 children and parents who attended the primary school within that time and who are now aged 18 or over.
- Between 2007 and 2017 children and parents who attended the primary school within that time and are now aged under 18.
- Children or parents at the primary school now and were not in attendance there between 2007 and 2017.
We want to make sure that all those affected by the offending of Vincent Chan have access to the right support that is appropriate to them.
- NSPCC helpline for anyone affected in Barnet and Camden (children, young people and adults): Barnet and Camden Councils have also commissioned the NSPCC to provide a dedicated helpline: NSPCC Helpline 0800 028 0828. This provides support seven days a week (8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-6pm at weekends).
The helpline provides information, support and signposting to individuals who have been impacted by the investigation, or who would prefer to report any safeguarding concerns to them. This information will be passed on to the relevant partner agency.
- Further support for parents of children/young people aged under 18 in Barnet: Parents and guardians of children living in London Borough of Barnet can also contact Barnet Council’s Children and Families Service on 020 8359 4066 or by email at mash@barnet.gov.uk.
- Further support for parents of children/young people aged under 18 in Camden: Parents and guardians of children living in London Borough of Camden should contact Camden Council’s Children and Families Service on 020 7974 3317 or by email at LBCMASHadmin@camden.gov.uk.
- Further support for people aged over 18 in Barnet (formerly a pupil at the school): Barnet Council’s Adults Multi Agency Safeguarding (MASH) is a team of professionals from a range of organisations and agencies who work together to protect adults who may be at risk of abuse, harm or neglect. You are able to make a referralor contact Social Care Direct on 020 8359 5000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or 020 8359 2000 (out of hours) or contact them via socialcaredirect@barnet.gov.uk
- Police contact points: Anyone who believes they have specific information about these crimes should contact the Police by email at OpLanark@met.police.ukor by telephone on 020 7175 3384.
For all those aged over 18 can contact:
- Marie Collins Foundation – The Marie Collins Foundation supports all those affected by technology enabled child sexual abuse. They can be contacted via help@mariecollinsfoundation.org.uk
Contributing to the local Child Safeguarding Practice Review:
Finally, for all those affected by the actions of Vincent Chan at the primary school under Operation Lanark 2 we have produced a QR code below whereby it is possible to register an interest in contributing to the local Child Safeguarding Practice Review which Barnet SCP is supporting Camden SCP in producing. To register your details please scan the QR code below.
