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Sickening footage has emerged of an elderly man being kicked to the ground in what appears to be an unprovoked attack.

The incident is believed to have taken place in the Stratford Centre area of London and was published on Twitter on Wednesday evening.

Police have launched an investigation and will be carrying out enquiries around the suspected location in an attempt to identify the victim and suspects.

A victim, a man with a white beard and hair, is caught unaware by the vicious attack as he stands at a rubbish bin.

(Image: Twitter) (Image: Twitter)

He is looking at the person filming on their mobile phone when a youth in a black hoodie and grey jogging bottoms approaches from behind and lands a powerful kick to his side.

The victim, who appears frail, is sent crashing to the floor, and hits his head on the ground.

(Image: Twitter)

Laughing can be heard in the eight-second footage as well as a young woman's cries.

Police are now trying to find out when the incident occurred and whether it has been previously reported.

A spokesman for Met Police said: "The Met is aware of the video circulating on social media on an elderly man being assault in London.

"It is believed that this incident has occurred in the area around the Stratford Centre and so officers in Newham Borough are assessing the contents of the video.

"Research is being carried out to see if this is an offence that has previously been reported, or if a new investigation will be started.

"Officers will also be carrying out enquiries at the suspected location.

"At this early stage there has been neither a victim identified, nor a date for the incident and the have been no arrests."

The footage was condemned when shared on Twitter.

One user wrote: "Watching that video of that homeless man getting kicked to the floor made my heart and soul ache so much. Why would people laugh?"

Another user added: "My heart. Just watched a video of a homeless man getting kicked by some idiot covering his face how sick can this world get?"

One young woman wrote: "That's so messed up! That's so disturbing to see a homeless man so innocent get kicked."

Several Twitter users directed the footage to the Met Police account.

There was confusion on the internet as some Twitter users claimed the video was recorded in Charlotte, North Carolina, as people protested the fatal police shooting of a black man.

However, many Twitter users correctly pointed out that the incident did not occur there.

The video shows Routemaster buses and a Transport for London bus stop sign in the background.

Did you see the incident or know more about it? Email webnews@trinitymirror.com