A POLICE investigation into the violent mugging of a man by a gang of 16 youths has been hampered because CCTV cameras in the area do not work.

The 38-year-old was attacked after parking his vehicle in Coopersale Close on the Orchard Estate in Woodford Green on Saturday afternoon (November 28).

He was approached by a group of six black youths who punched him in the face and then dragged him over to the entrance of nearby flats where another ten gang members assaulted him and stole his Nokia mobile phone and wallet.

The gang then ran off in different directions across the estate.

Despite the area having 35 CCTV cameras police can currently find no footage of the attack - which took place at around 4.30pm - because the device covering the scene was apparently not working.

The Guardian highlighted residents' concerns about the condition of security cameras on the estate last week after Redbridge Homes refused to confirm what proportion of the system was out of action or not fit to provide evidence-quality footage for the police.

Detective Constable James Nicholson of Redbridge Police said: "This was quite an unusual attack because of the number of people involved.

"The CCTV cameras in the area it happened are apparently not working, so we do not have any footage at present. Which is not helpful.

"We will check the footage from cameras in the estate office to see whether they filmed anyone involved."

The victim, who did not want to speak to the press for fear of reprisals, was taken on a tour of the estate by police to look for his attackers, but did not see any of them.

The lack of CCTV footage of the attack came as no surprise to mum-of-three Laura Dawkins, who recently moved off of the estate after the death of her mother Christine Allen in a lift accident.

She said: "People on the estate know some of the cameras aren't working, including ones in the lifts.

"It means people just think they can get away with things."

A Redbridge Homes spokeswoman said: "Redbridge Homes is co-operating fully with the Police in this matter and are supplying the footage they have requested."

Anyone with information about the assault should contact DC James Nicholson at Ilford CID on: 8345 2610.