Scotland Yard is examining a video of a violent assault on an elderly man in east London.
The footage, circulated on social media on Thursday, shows a younger person, their face obscured by clothing, launching an apparently unprovoked attack on a man standing next to a bin at night.
The attacker takes a step towards the older man – who is wearing a woolly hat, holding a bottle and resting a bag on top of the bin – before kicking him hard in the right arm.
The man is thrown heavily to the ground, cracking his head on the pavement.
The video was widely shared on Twitter by users who believed it depicted recent protests in the US city of Charlotte, North Carolina. But it is clear from the background that the assault took place in London.
Scotland Yard said it was aware of the footage but did not know the identity of the victim or when the incident took place. There have been no arrests.
Officers believe the man was attacked near the Stratford Centre in east London and police in the borough of Newham are examining the video.
A Metropolitan police spokesman said: “Research is being carried out to see if this is an offence that has previously been reported, or if a new investigation will be started.
“Officers will also be carrying out inquiries at the suspected location.”
- Witnesses are asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.