French Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, has urged police to respond swiftly to troublemakers and looters as security forces deployed across Paris ahead of protests feared to turn violent.
This was disclosed while Speaking to police in Paris, Nunez warned officers that they would face attempts to target shops, public institutions and security forces.
“We have to be ultra, ultra responsive. We have significant calls for disruption from political groups and quite simply from criminals, It is going to be a long day.” He said.
Police vans circled the Arc de Triomphe, while soldiers from an anti-terrorism unit patrolled the Champs-Elysees avenue to protect key Paris landmarks from a recurrence of the unrest that rocked France last week.
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Vandalism and looting during demonstrations on October 17 raised concerns about the government’s ability to maintain public order, prompting Nunez to deploy 70,000 police officers nationwide for Saturday’s protests, 10,000 more than previously.
Rising living costs and strained public services have brought students, workers and trade unions onto the streets in recent weeks.
