Leader statement on Operation Lanark perpetrator sentencing

A man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for serious sexual offences against children.

He was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court after pleading guilty to 56 offences, following a Metropolitan Police criminal investigation, known as Operation Lanark. Of these, 26 charges relate to a nursery in Camden that has since closed.

You can read the further details of the case in this statement issued following the sentencing by the Metropolitan Police. Click here to read. 

As the local safeguarding authority, Camden Council has been working closely with NHS partners, Metropolitan Police, central and local government bodies, and voluntary and community organisations to coordinate specialist support for families during this extremely difficult time. This case does not involve any Camden Council-run setting or Council employee.

An independent Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR) into the abuse at the former Bright Horizons nursery branch, and at settings within Barnet, is now underway. Led by reviewer Sarah Lawrence and commissioned by the Camden Safeguarding Partnership, the review will engage with parents, staff and safeguarding organisations, with findings due in Summer 2026.

Councillor Richard Olszewski, Leader of Camden Council, said: 

“Today’s sentencing marks an important step in this distressing case. While nothing can undo the harm that’s been caused, I hope this outcome brings some sense of justice to those who have suffered. No family should ever face such an unimaginable ordeal, and our thoughts are with the children and families whose lives have been so deeply affected.

“The independent review into this case is now underway and families will be at the heart of that process. From the beginning, we have been clear that their voices must guide this work as we learn how to prevent anything like this from ever happening again.

“The safety and wellbeing of children and families in Camden will always be our top priority. If anyone needs support or someone to talk to, the dedicated NSPCC helpline is available on 0800 028 0828 (8am–8pm Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm weekends). Parents who need to speak with a social worker can contact Camden Children and Families Service on 020 7974 3317 or email LBCMASHadmin@camden.gov.uk.

“We will continue to support parents, carers and their children, learning every lesson possible, and strengthening safeguarding across our community as this vital work moves forward.”

For more information, visit the Camden Safeguarding Children Partnership website: cscp.org.uk/operation-lanark

Individuals who have been directly affected can register to participate in the LCSPR via this website.

Resources for parents 

Affected families can access a range of support:

• They can call the dedicated NSPCC helpline number on 0800 028 0828. This is for any individual who have been impacted by child abuse. The operating times are 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays for the foreseeable future. They can also email NSPCC on help@nspcc.org.uk
• They can contact our Children’s Social Care team on 020 7974 3317 or email them at LBCMASHadmin@camden.gov.uk
• They can speak to their GP

Anyone with information that they feel may be important can contact the Metropolitan Police’s investigation team directly via email at OpLanark@met.police.uk or by calling 020 7175 3384.

Camden Council has set up a dedicated web page – camden.gov.uk/OperationLanark – which includes all of the above information and will be updated as needed.

Further information on safeguarding 

The scope of the LCSPR has been expanded to cover the perpetrator’s offences in Barnet – so the period under review will now be from 1 November 2006. Barnet Council will be communicating with and supporting those affected by offences committed in school settings in the borough.

The Camden Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) have written to all directly involved families to update them on our desire to keep them informed about the progress of the review, and that we will be asking for their experiences so that their voices can help shape the findings and recommendations. A link to sign up to a mailing list to receive updates has been sent to all directly involved families.

On behalf of the CSCP, Camden Council have written to all affected families to reiterate that we, alongside our safeguarding partners, are here to support them through this difficult time. We have also informed them of the details of the proposed Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review and provided them with an information factsheet. 

As part of our usual practices and monitoring, all nurseries in Camden are checking their safeguarding processes to ensure they are as strict and robust as they can be.