Nearly 90 per cent backed the roll out and believe it will help to improve passenger safety on trains and in stations.

Since 2003, security cameras on trains and at stations plus station help and information points have been installed across the network.

These improvements, undertaken by the infrastructure companies, are a key component of TfL's plans to increase safety and security on London's transport network. The number of CCTV cameras on the Tube network has increased from 6,500 to 8,374 since 2003.

LU Managing Director Tim O'Toole said: "Safety of our passengers and staff is our top priority.

"The effects of these initiatives can be seen in the fact that, since 2000, physical assaults on both passengers and staff have decreased.

"This improvement means that the Tube continues to be one of the safest metro systems in the world."

Over the next five years, virtually all Tube stations are to be renewed.

Help points

A key element is the upgrading and expansion of CCTV facilities from analogue to digital and the recording of high quality images to hard drive rather than magnetic tape.

Help and information points are being installed at every station as it undergoes refurbishment with as many as 26 installed at some of the busiest stations.

There are now almost 500 of these Help points which give passengers and staff access to the station supervisor's office at the touch of a button should help be needed.

CCTV was first introduced on LU in the late 1960s with the opening of the Victoria line.

LU now has one of the most comprehensive CCTV systems in the world, and the number of cameras will continue to increase to around 12,000 by 2011