Police chief warns protesters after widespread unrest in France

The police chief calls on the protesters to remain calm and warns that the authorities will respond forcefully to all forms of violence and vandalism.

During Friday, riot police clashed with violent protesters and the police chief believes that the situation is "out of control".

Thousands arrested

Since Monday, around 5,000 people, mostly teenagers, have been arrested in connection with the protests, according to Reuters.

Dozens of people have also been injured. Agathe Foucault, spokesperson for the national police, tells RTL radio that over 600 police officers have also been injured.

According to the French media, the student protests are rooted in dissatisfaction with the lack of resources in the education system.

Major cities affected

The movement is said to have started in mid-September at a secondary school in Créteil outside Paris. On social media, students have urged each other to "block their school" - and the protests have since spread across the country.

Particularly affected are metropolitan areas such as Paris, Lille, Lyon and Marseille. Several schools have been set on fire and fireworks have been set off among crowds. Images show burning barricades and clashes between protesters and police.