Nearly 1,000 arrested as fresh protests sweep France

Almost 1,000 people were arrested on Saturday as another wave of mass protests took place across France, officials said, with some clashes breaking out late in the day following largely peaceful demonstrations.

Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds in several cities, including Paris, while barricades were set on fire in Marseille and protesters tore boards from a shop front in Bordeaux. Authorities said they managed to prevent the scale of rioting and looting seen the previous weekend, which had produced some of the worst unrest in France's recent history.

The interior ministry estimated that about 410,000 people took part in Saturday's protests, while union organisers put the figure closer to 800,000.

Roughly 70,000 police officers were deployed nationwide, with restrictions imposed in a number of cities to prevent a repeat of the chaos that had previously left police outnumbered and resulted in hundreds of businesses looted and buildings set alight.

The protests relate to ongoing anger over the cost of living and poor school conditions. President Emmanuel Macron had earlier in the week ruled that only demonstrations organised by recognised trade unions would be allowed. Hundreds of people have already been jailed for vandalism, arson and looting following fast-track court proceedings in recent days.