British police said today they have arrested a man in connection with the robbery of a Malaysian student during riots in London this week by a group who pretended to be helping him.

The suspect, in his 20s, was taken into police custody as the student, Asyraf Haziq Rosli, insisted he bore no ill feelings about the incident on Monday and intended to stay in Britain until he completes his accountancy studies.

NONE Footage taken of a bleeding Asyraf being helped up during unrest in Barking, east London, by a group of men who proceeded to empty his rucksack has become one of the most shocking images of the unrest.

The video has been watched almost three million times on YouTube (right) and the incident was condemned by Prime Minister David Cameron as "disgusting", showing "there are things badly wrong with our society".

In a statement, Scotland Yard confirmed that a man had been arrested over the attack, which occurred as Rosli, 20, was on his way to see a friend in nearby East Ham who was worried about the rioting.

"Officers have today, Thursday 11 August, arrested a man in connection with an incident whereby a young man was robbed by a group who pretended to help him after he was assaulted during Monday’s disorder," Scotland Yard said.

It added: "The suspect, believed to be in his 20s, has been taken into police custody. Inquiries continue."

Asyraf underwent surgery for a broken jaw on Wednesday following the attack, and he was discharged from hospital yesterday morning.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, he said he did not intend to leave Britain now, saying he still thought it was "great" and intended to complete the next two years of studies for his ACCA accountancy exams.

"I plan to finish my study here," Asyraf said, although he admitted his family had asked him to return to Malaysia.

"I want my mum to come here and visit me. I spoke to her, she is really worried. She wants me to go back home. I refused," he said.

Asked how he felt about his attackers, Asyraf said: "I feel sorry for them. But it was really sad because amongst them there were children, it was very sad. It was quite shocking."

Scotland Yard are making Asyraf's case a priority because the video of his attack has come to epitomise the violence for many people, one officer said.

"It's an iconic image, and that's one of those examples which has really upset people and police officers, so we'll put a lot of focus into that," said Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Concannon.

- AFP