Health and safety rules stop CCTV filming two sex assaults in 'notorious' underpass

The £150,000 state-of-the-art devices were installed almost a year ago to reassure people walking through the area blighted by fights and assaults.

But 13 of the 18 cameras - costing just £3 a week to run - have never been turned on.

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Transport for London, which bought the devices and owns the subway, refused to let council workers connect them to power cables, claiming they lack the correct training.

Redbridge Council said it had sent 30 letters to TfL and London Mayor Ken Livingstone about the problem at Gants Hill Underground station, East London.

"It's like someone giving you a new car but not the keys," said Mark Aaron, councillor for community safety.

"All they have to do is open their power box and let us plug in. It's a half-day job.

"Every time we have asked, there have been excuses, passing us from department to department.

"Two young ladies were attacked while this was going on. They thought they had the security of cameras, but they did not.

"We have a control room that could have recorded and identified the people responsible, so these women have been let down.

"The problem is all the red tape. We have qualified contractors, but TfL has made them go on health and safety courses and fill out books of forms."

The cameras were installed by the council last May at the subway under a busy roundabout. Workers were able to connect up five because they were outside the entrances.

The others - inside the underpass - were due to be hooked up by TfL contractor Metronet, but the firm went into administration before the work could be done.

Since then, the council has been trying to complete the job.

Mr Aaron said: "The subway has a reputation of being a dangerous place to walk through.

"We wanted to give people confidence with these cameras, but it could have a negative effect with people wondering how many in the area are really turned on. TfL has used taxpayers' money to pay for these cameras. They are digital and can be used in the dark.

"But by the time we're allowed to use them, they will probably be out of date and the money will have been wasted. We have done everything they asked, but have still not heard when the cameras can be plugged in."

TfL yesterday blamed the collapse of Metronet for the delays. Officials insisted council contractors-need to have the relevant health and safety certificates.

It refused to say why former Metronet workers or TfL staff could not do the work.

A spokesman added: "There are fully functioning cameras covering all the approaches to the subway network as well as at street level in the Gants Hill area."

CCTV systems have come under fire amid concern at the rise of surveillance in Britain, but have also proved useful in solving crime.