'Record' 855 people arrested over Paris protest violence: police

A fire burns at a demonstration in Paris, France, on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Rioters attacked French public buildings and looted stores in cities including Paris as protests against the high cost of living drew more than half a million people, underscoring the nation’s challenges ahead of presidential elections next year. Photographer: Wayan Barre/Bloomberg

Paris (AFP): Police in Paris said Sunday they had arrested a "record" 855 people over protest violence in the capital the day before, with the prosecutor's office saying more than 500 were being held in custody.

The capital, and many other French cities, on Saturday experienced clashes between police and protesters, multiple street blazes and widespread looting.

A municipal worker walks next to burnt out vehicles on a street, the day after clashes during a national day of demonstrations against the cost of living and rising fuel prices, near the Place de la Republique in Paris, France, October 18, 2026. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor

Paris's deputy mayor Lamia El Aaraje said the capital had been hit by "a level of violence that I believe we had never seen before".

The Paris prosecutor's office said that, of those in custody, 346 were adults and 171 were minors, for a total of 517. It added that the numbers were provisional and could change.

"Arrests took place throughout the night and up to 6:00 am (0400 GMT) this morning," the office said.

Most of the arrests were for receiving stolen goods, association with intent to commit violence, and vandalism, it said.- AFP