A former psychiatric patient viciously punched four passers-by then attacked three police officers while screaming Allahu Akbar in Toulouse today.

The enraged man, 42, began beating shoppers in the French city at around 4pm before police who were only metres away swooped in.

The assailant kicked and punched the officers before they managed to contain and arrest him.

Attack: The man (pictured being arrested) continued to scream Allahu Akbar - Arabic for God is Great - as he was wrestled to the ground before bursting into tears

He continued to shout Allahu Akbar - Arabic for God is Great - as he was wrestled to the ground before bursting into tears.

Footage shows the man being handcuffed and lifted on to a stretcher before being taken hospital.

One witness said: 'We were chatting and he jumped on us. He first caught my son and then beat my daughter. We just ran.'

Two of the civilian victims were taken to the Toulouse-Rangueil hospital. Three injured police were cared for by firefighters. There are no deaths reported.

French police say the alleged perpetrator was released from a psychiatric hospital in April.