Paris police arrest record 855 people after violent protests and widespread looting

A protester scuffles with gendarmes as they take part in a demonstration to protest against the "high cost of living", in Nantes, western France, on October 17, 2026. — AFP pic

First Published: Sunday, 18 Oct 2026 4:42 PM MYT

PARIS, Oct 18 — 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, yesterday experienced clashes between police and protesters, multiple street blazes and widespread looting.

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 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