France protests - live: Riot police fire tear gas as town hall invaded and barricades burn

France protests - live: Riot police fire tear gas as town hall invaded and barricades burn Police have used tear gas and a water cannon as tens of thousands of protesters demonstrate across France against the cost of living, rising fuel prices and the state of public services Riot police have fired tear gas on the streets of cities across France and arrested more than 160 people as thousands of protests against the cost of living, rising fuel prices and state of public services take place across the country. Tens of thousands are protesting in Paris alone with police firing tear gas and turning a water cannon on crowds in the Place de la République. In Marseille, a town hall was invaded and barricades set on fire as footage appears to show people attacking a bank. In Lyons a tourist office has been destroyed with smoke seen pouring from the building. Police said 150 protesters were arrested in Paris "primarily for carrying weapons or prohibited protective gear". President Emmanuel Macron has appealed for "calm" and called on demonstrators to show "respect for people and property". Student protests in France have seen hundreds of thousands take to the streets since they began late last month. Protesters are demanding more investment in their schools, criticising the lack of teachers and staff, overcrowded classrooms and rundown buildings. The latest protests are about wider problems in France, including the state of the education system. Key Events Fires erupt at protests across France Earlier we reported that the Lyon tourist office had been trashed by protestors. Footage shared online in the past 20 minutes seems to show the building well ablaze as crowds cheer outside. Meanwhile in Paris protesters have set fire to barricades in the streets amid ongoing clashes with riot police. Cops use water cannons on Paris protesters Police have deployed water cannons on protesters in the Place de la République in Paris. In scenes posted online protesters can be seen getting blasted with water cannons as gas grenades litter the streets. Crowds in Lyon destroy tourist office In Lyon crowds have smashed up a tourist office with smoke seen pouring from the building. There are hundreds of demonstrations taking place across France today with violent scenes in Paris and Marseille. Demonstrators gathered in the Place Bellecour with police firing tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowds. Protesters have also gathered in other parts of the city with a standoff taking place outside the Hôtel-Dieu shopping center as four trucks carrying riot police reinforcements were deployed. Protesters build burning barricades on Paris streets Video shared on X appears to show barricaded streets in central Paris. “In Paris, barricades are being erected and then set on fire in the Châtelet–Les Halles area, on the sidelines of the #17octobre mobilization,” said a tweet. Marseille drafts in extra riot police The mayor of Marseille has said he has obtained police reinforcements after a discussion with Emmanuel Macron. Speaking on TV Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan said the French president had told him police reinforcements would be sent to France's second largest city. The news comes after scenes of running battles in the streets of Marseille between cops and protesters as a crowd earlier smashed their way into a bank. There have also been reports that protesters briefly forced their way into the city hall. Main march in Paris gets underway The main demonstration in Paris was scheduled to get underway at 2pm local time (1pm UK time) mean the march has just started. There have been numerous incidents across the country already as police and protesters have clashed with missiles and tear gas hurled. The Paris march is due to start at the Place de la République with other large groups of protesters scattered around the city. 'We're here because we're fed up' Groups of protesters gathered at the Gare du Nord railway station ahead of the protests this afternoon. One first-time protester said they were there due to high cost of living as well as to support students and follow in the footsteps of the gilets jaunes (yellow vests) protesters in 2018. "We don't know Paris very well, so we're meeting here and then we're going to meet up with friends at République. It's the first time we've demonstrated,” they told French paper Le Figaro. “We're here because we're fed up. I take the car every morning, it's way too expensive. The high school students showed us the way, so we're here to support them too. And then the Yellow Vests, 2018, that left a mark on us. Now it's even worse." Clip appears to show protesters destroying a bank branch A video posted on social media appears to show protesters in Marseille smashing the front of a bank. Protesters can be seen flooding into the front of the building through broken windows before the crowd suddenly flees. Video shows Marseille protests Footage from Marseille seemingly shows protesters running in the streets as loud bangs can be heard all around and tear gas canisters land amongst demonstrators. Video shows riot cops charge protesters French police have shared video of masked protesters hurling missiles before ranks of officers with riot shields and batons charge them. The images, shared by the Paris Police Prefecture show what appears to be tear gas in the streets. The force shared the clips with the message: “We do not back down in the face of rioters and those who come to attack the law enforcement forces. “On Republic, the police are targeted by hostile individuals who have come looking for a fight. “They face it with courage and professionalism.” Police arrest 166 people across France as of midday Police have arrested 166 people across France as of midday (11am BST).People close to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez say that roughly 32,800 people had taken part in 140 protests across the country already. In Paris, police fired tear gas in the Place de la République, causing protesters to scatter. FRANCE 24 journalist Pauline Rouquette said he saw police searching bags and confiscating masks and saline solution, often used by demonstrators to clean their eyes after being hit with tear gas. Police deploy tear gas on protesters in Marseilles Police have also already deployed tear gas in Marseilles. Pictures show flames in the streets with some protesters dressed in dark clothes and wearing face coverings. Another protester is shown kicking a tear gas cannister down the street. Paris police say 40 arrests already made Police in Paris say they had already made 40 arrests by 9.30am local time (8.30am BST). These were "primarily for carrying weapons or prohibited protective gear", they say in an update on X. Tens of thousands are expected to turn out onto the streets of Paris in protest today, with 600 other demonstrations also taking place across the rest of the country. Police say "enhanced checks" are being carried out "to prevent risks and ensure everyone's safety". Macron's call for calm ahead of protests On Friday, French president Emmanuel Macron appealed for calm and respect for people and property as officials warned of possible violence. "There is a constitutional right to protest and to express oneself, and I have always been vigilant and attentive that that right is fully respected," Mr Macron said in Brussels. "But this right comes with the need to respect. Respect for people, respect for property, and therefore a commitment not to insult or destroy." Mr Macron denounced the potential presence of people "solely to cause damage and create unrest" as "unacceptable" Calls for gilets jaunes (yellow vests) to come back Today's mass protests come amid calls for unity between students, unions and cost of living protestors. There have even been calls on social media to revive the yellow vest movement, which emerged in 2018 against social injustice. Student groups who have been protesting since mid-September have urged supporters to join. The CGT, one of France's major unions, backs the protests, calling for "higher wages and pensions, lower prices and the protection of public services that meet people's needs". The gilets jaunes (yellow vests) were one of France’s longest-lived protest movements and staged numerous demonstrations over hikes to the cost-of-living. [Image text:] JDSPORTS.FR