This is the horrifying moment an elderly Asian man was racially abused and mocked by a crowd in San Francisco, leaving him in tears.

The unidentified victim appeared to be collecting recyclables when he was set upon in what is understood to be the Bayview area of the city.

Footage shared on Twitter shows as he is robbed of the plastics. It is not known when the incident occurred but looks to have taken place in parking area outside homes.

The man then appears to try to get back his bags of recycled goods as onlookers continue to shout and taunt him before he breaks down.

The unidentified victim was set upon in what is understood to be the Bayview area. One man, wielding a pole, uses it to hit the victim as he runs away, pictured

Footage shared on Twitter shows as he is robbed of the plastics outside homes

Sharing the clip online, one Twitter user wrote: 'please share this with your friends & family. this is so low, the older man was just trying to make ends meet for his family.

'He didn’t deserve this. this is ignorant, inhumane, & sickening. i’m praying for this man and his family. if you have any information, please reach out.'

The video begins with one onlooker walking towards the man, wielding a pole and using it to hit him on the head. Others laugh and jeer as the victim runs away.

As the man walks away one eyewitness comments: 'Uh oh, he's scared.'

The man turns back, in an apparent effort to get his belongings back.

Another shouts: 'Man, hey, go get your cans, man. Go get your cans, man, don’t be scared.'

The person recording the clip shouts: 'He just robbed your dumb ass. They are his cans. Go get your s***. I hate Asians.'

As the camera zooms in on the man's face he can be seen crying and visibly distressed by the incident.

Those around him mock his tears, continuing to film him as he cries.

The video begins with one onlooker walking towards the man, wielding a pole and using it to hit him on the head. Others laugh and jeer as the victim runs away

As the elderly man walks away one eyewitness comments: 'Uh oh, he's scared.' The man turns back, in an apparent effort to get his belongings back

After the footage went viral San Francisco police tweeted: 'We appreciate everyone bringing this video to our attention.

'At this time, we would like to announce we have initiated an investigation into this matter and we are attempting to ID the victim and/or witnesses. Anyone with further information is asked to contact us. Thank you all.'

A spokesman later told The New York Post no arrests have yet been made.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed said: 'The actions depicted in this video are shameful and are not reflective of the San Francisco we can, and should be.

'Violence, bullying, and harassment are unacceptable and have no place in our city. We need work to bring our communities together, not sow hatred and division.'

After the footage went viral San Francisco police tweeted this message