A Sydney man has been charged with using his position as a childcare worker to produce child abuse material.

The man has been charged with 13 offences, accused of abusing 10 children aged six and under when he worked at six out-of-school-hours care services in the northern suburbs of Sydney and the CBD between April 2021 and May 2024.

Police said all of the identified families have been contacted and offered support.

“If you have not heard from the AFP, it’s because we have no evidence which has linked your family to this man’s offending,” AFP acting assistant commissioner Brett James said.

“It’s important to note that this man remains in custody.”

The investigation started in July last year, when child abuse material was found on the dark web.

Police raided the home of the 26-year-old man, who is also a former NSW Police employee, in September last year, seizing a mobile phone and other electronic devices.

He was charged after he allegedly refused to give his passwords to police.

He was refused bail at Parramatta Local Court on September 25 last year and was later granted bail on September 30.

Forensic investigators gained access to the man’s devices and allegedly found child abuse material.

The man was re-arrested on October 11 last year and was remanded in custody.

A non-publication order was put in place to give police time to contact parents and carers.

The order was lifted by the court today.

Police have contacted a further 52 out-of-school-hours care facilities and other providers, which had employed the man, however there is no evidence to suggest any alleged offending took place at these centres.

The man was also employed as a probationary NSW Police constable from December 2021 to September 2022.

He failed to complete his probation and continued in a civilian capacity until his resignation in May 2023.

“During his employment, the man failed to seek the required approval to engage in secondary employment, and as such, police were unaware of his concurrent role in the childcare sector,” NSW Police said in a statement.

“We acknowledge the seriousness of the allegations and condemn any behaviour that places our community’s most vulnerable members at risk.

“The NSWPF will continue to assist the AFP in its investigation and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all affected individuals.”