All 349 hackney carriages will receive the Big Brother-style CCTV free of charge.

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As well as deterring assaults, it is hoped the technology will provide vital evidence for drivers often targeted with false accusations by passengers.

The technology – dubbed iKabs – is to be officially launched in the city next month, and is being road-tested by taxi drivers in Peterborough this week.

Ian Mills, chairman of the Park Lane Independent Hackney Carriages Association, praised the scheme and said it would make the working lives of cabbies safer.

He said: "It's an excellent idea. One or two of the drivers have even paid to have cameras installed themselves.

"We're front-line workers, we work at night and you never know who you're picking up."

Mr Mills said thankfully there were few serious incidents involving taxi drivers on Wearside, though in previous years there had been a big problem in the Hendon area.

He said the iKab cameras would guard against any future rise in problems.

"There's been cases of taxi drivers getting beaten up just for the sake of someone not wanting to pay the fare."

As well as protecting taxi drivers from violence and threatening behaviour, the iKab cameras are also there to provide evidence to defend cabbies against false accusations.

The cameras are fitted to the front of the vehicle and records all in-car activity on to a disk, securely placed under the driver's seat.

The devices activate automatically and can't be dismantled. If an incident does occur, the disk must be taken to the licencing authority to be decoded.

The cameras will also be fitted to cabs in Newcastle, Durham, North and South Tyneside.