An American student drinking a bottle of beer was viciously beaten by a gang of five Asian youths in an area of London which has seen attacks on people accused of un-Islamic activities.

Scotland Yard released security camera footage of Francesco Hounye, 22, being surrounded by the youths.

The gang smashed a bottle into his face and then repeatedly kicked and punched him as he tried to escape.

Mr Hounye, from Florida, had only been in London for three days and had been considering continuing his studies in Britain.

Scotland Yard said the attack was not classed as a hate crime as they believed Mr Hounye was targeted simply because he was “obviously not local”.

Mr Hounye, who was originally from Italy, had been out