A man has been jailed for 21 years after saying he wanted to “kill English people” before launching a knife rampage across south London.

Terrifying footage from the night of the attacks, on January 8, show Samiualahq Akbari attempting to stab an unknown victim in an unprovoked attack after asking where he was from.

CCTV images showed Akbari lunge towards a victim in a Tesco shop, in Thornton Heath, Croydon, with a huge knife as the man he targeted tried to defend himself.

The 32-year-old, of Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath, tried to attack people in a kebab shop, a pub and a Tesco before he was arrested after a police chase.

Detective Constable Chris Dimmer, of South Area CID, said: “It’s clear that Akbari was malicious in his intention to injure as many people as possible”.

“He specifically sought to identify and target people from a certain nationality and to cause them as much harm as possible.”

The Old Bailey heard how before the attempted stabbings, Akbari called his cousin drunk to say he wanted to “kill English people,” before going to the three different establishments.

After the phone call, his concerned cousin travelled to Thornton Heath to check on him. They both went to a fast food shop and while Akbari was inside his cousin contacted police.

When his cousin tried to persuade him to go home, Akbari ran off. Officers met the cousin nearby and a search began to trace Akbari’s whereabouts.

Akbari entered a kebab shop on London Road and approached two customers asking them were they were from. When they didn’t answer, Akbari walked behind the counter and took a large kitchen knife which he waved in a customer’s face.

Akbari then left the kebab shop with the knife and entered Plough-On-The-Pond Public House in search of further victims. After asking customers in the pub where they were from he again lunged towards a group with the knife. The group were able to defend themselves so Akbari backed off and left the pub.

Then Akbari went into Tesco and approached a customer. He asked the victim where he was from and when he found out he was from the UK he charged at the victim with the knife. The victim managed to jump backwards and the knife missed him, after a brief struggle, Akbari left the shop still carrying the knife.

Officers arrived at Tesco shortly after and spotted Akbari nearby, he ran off and was arrested in someone's garden.

Akbari was sentenced on Wednesday after being found guilty of attempted murder. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison.

DC Chris Dimmer said: “I’m pleased to see that this dangerous man’s actions have been met with this lengthy sentence and I hope it gives those targeted in the attack some form of closure.”