This is the terrifying moment a man wielding an axe chases Tesco customers out of a store in south London.

In the clip, which was filmed at a supermarket in Purley yesterday evening, around ten customers can be seen fleeing down a corridor holding their purchases.

One woman is forced to ditch her trolley to get away faster as a man grabs her arm and pulls her along.

A man in a high-vis jacket, who appears to be a security guard, seemingly stands next to the customers in the corridor as they flee before turning and running away himself.

In the terrifying clip, filmed at a Tesco in Purley, south London, around 10 customers are seen running away holding baskets and trolleys

A woman, pictured, is forced to ditch her trolley to run fast as the attacker pushes through a pair of double doors holding the axe

The group run as a man wielding an axe bursts through the double doors before menacingly raising the weapon above his head.

The unnamed man, who appears to be wearing a mask, briefly slows down before brandishing the hatchet once again and chasing fleeing customers.

The shocking video ends as the attacker goes off screen, when it is believed he fled the store.

A recording of the video, which appears to have been originally taken on CCTV, was posted on Facebook last night.

Samantha Suki Lowe shared the clip with the caption: 'Wtf is going on in this world. Tescos Purley tonight [face palm emoji].'

Facebook users were shocked by the video, with one saying: 'I truly hope no-one has been seriously injured, I also hope that guy gets the help he needs before he kills someone.'

The customers, and a man who appears to be a security guard in a high-vis jacket, run as the man brandishes the axe

He then chases after them through the corridor. The clip was shared on Facebook last night with the caption: 'Wtf is going on in this world. Tescos Purley tonight [face palm emoji]'

Another wrote: 'I swear they are putting something in the water wtf is wrong with people ffs. The whole world turned violent.'

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Police were called on Tuesday, 22 January at 22:14 hours to a supermarket in Purley Way to reports of a man in possession of a hammer.

'Officers attended and were informed the man had caused damage to the store. The suspect left prior to police arrival.

'A search of the area took place but he was not found. Enquiries are ongoing to trace him.

'No arrests at this stage. Officers from Croydon are investigating.'

A Tesco spokesperson said: 'We are relieved to confirm that nobody was hurt in this shocking incident at our Purley Extra store.

'We are supporting the police with their enquiries.'