French police face scrutiny over weapons and tactics as protests continue

Summary

Protests continue in France, and the country's police are under scrutiny over their weapons and tactics after new allegations of police brutality. Deutsche Welle asks whether French police are the most violent in the EU and reports that the force has a bigger arsenal than most in Europe. The South China Morning Post reports that officers appeared outnumbered and overwhelmed during last weekend's protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools, and that riot-control tactics used in previous unrest left some teenagers seriously injured. It says the Interior Ministry will deploy 20 per cent more police this Saturday than last weekend. ABC News reports that police face pressure to maintain security during expected protests while facing scrutiny over the riot-control weapons and tactics blamed for injuring protesters.

Timeline

1. Deutsche Welle

   22 Oct 2026, 16:01 UTCSource ↗

   Deutsche Welle reports that as protests continue in France, the French police are under scrutiny after new allegations of police brutality, and that the force has a bigger arsenal than most in Europe.

2. South China Morning Post

   23 Oct 2026, 05:50 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that French police face pressure to maintain security during further protests expected in some cities, with scrutiny over riot-control tactics used in previous unrest that left some teenagers seriously injured, and that the Interior Ministry will deploy 20 per cent more police this Saturday than last weekend.

3. ABC News

   23 Oct 2026, 06:51 UTCSource ↗

   ABC News reports that French police are under pressure to maintain security during expected protests while facing scrutiny over riot-control weapons and tactics blamed for injuring protesters.