Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Tesco 'axe' attack: Man wielding hatchet chases Tesco customers through London store

Shoppers seen fleeing as suspect waves hatchet around

Chiara Giordano
Thursday 24 January 2019 12:22 EST
Man brandishing axe chases Tesco customers through south London supermarket

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A man wielding an axe chased customers through a branch of Tesco in Purley, south London.

Shoppers fled as he burst through the supermarket's door waving a hatchet.

One woman can be seen in CCTV footage of the incident, ditching her trolley in an attempt to get away as a man dressed in a high-vis jacket desperately ushers everyone out.

The footage was posted on Facebook following the incident.

Police are now hunting for the unknown man, who kept the bottom half of his face covered.

CCTV footage captured the moment a man wielding an axe chased customers through a Tesco store in Purley, Croydon, south London, on 23 January, 2019.
CCTV footage captured the moment a man wielding an axe chased customers through a Tesco store in Purley, Croydon, south London, on 23 January, 2019. (Facebook)

“The suspect left prior to police arrival," a spokesperson for London's Metropolitan Police said.

They added: “Officers attended and were informed the man had caused damage to the store. A search of the area took place but he was not found. Enquiries are ongoing to trace him.”

A spokesperson for Tesco added: “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.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in