Call for CCTV in nurseries after 'sickening case'

"Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson replied to say that CCTV might still not guarantee safety, and said it "may lead to other forms of abuse", but promised the government would strengthen the ways children were kept safe after the "sickening case". Ms Phillipson told the Commons: "There may be well be differing views among parents and carers and the sector about CCTV use in settings." She explained that although some nurseries already use CCTV, she had concerns that widespread use of cameras inside nurseries may cause more problems. She said: "Mandatory introduction (of CCTV) in nurseries may lead to other forms of child abuse if footage was misused. "Any guidance or changes brought forward must make sure CCTV is used appropriately.""

"She said she would appoint a group of experts to develop guidance for nurseries on the safe use of CCTV. In addition, the education secretary said she would launch a rapid review of local child practice safeguarding. Ms Phillipson said the review "must shine the strongest possible light on these horrifying incidents", adding that lessons must be learned to prevent similar crimes in future. "We will root out abuse from wherever it hides, and we will never stop working to rid our society of this evil," she said."

Calls have been made to make CCTV compulsory in nurseries after paedophile nursery worker Vincent Chan pleaded guilty to 26 charges of sexually abusing young children in north London. Liberal Democrats highlighted that CCTV had been "vital" in securing convictions in a similar case. The education secretary warned that mandatory CCTV might not guarantee safety and could enable other forms of abuse if footage were misused. The government will appoint an expert group to develop guidance on safe CCTV use and will launch a rapid review of local child safeguarding practice to expose incidents and strengthen protections.

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