SO-CALLED crime-busting CCTV missed two sexual assaults near a subway - because they were not switched on.

The cameras were installed a year ago, but have still have not been plugged in due to a row over who pays for the electricity.

Sixteen state-of-the-art security cameras, costing £150,000, have sat unused inside the four main underpasses at Gants Hill tube station since being bought by Transport for London (TfL) in March to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

The consequences of this were brought to light last week when two women were sexually assaulted near the entrance to one of the tunnels in Clarence Avenue. None of the cameras were able to film the attacker when he ran off.

Councillor Mark Aaron, cabinet member for community safety, has slammed TfL, which runs the station, for failing to provide the council with the electricity it needs to operate the expensive equipment.

He said: "It's been a year since we installed these cameras but we can't connect them to our CCTV network until TfL let us use their power supply.

"They were put in place to improve the safety of the underpasses for vulnerable commuters, and I'm furious that they're still not being used.

"We have other cameras operating around Gants Hill, but it's vital we get the ones inside the underpasses working."

Carol Millington, manager of nearby Gold's Pharmacy, said she was shocked to discover the cameras were not working, and feared for the safety of her elderly customers.

She said: "This is terrible news for us and other businesses in this area because we are open until late at night, and lots of our customers have to use those grotty underpasses to get to us.

"Elderly people, and women walking on their own, would see those cameras and think they were safe, but they're really not safe at all."

A spokesman for TfL said it was looking into the issue, but could not comment further.

The two sexual assaults took place between 6.30am and 7am on Monday, January 7.

The suspect was in his 20s, black, with braided, shoulder length hair.

l Anyone with information should call Ilford CID on 8345 2714.