France deploys 70,000 police amid 'very high risk' of disorder at Halloween protests

France has warned of a 'very high risk of public disorder' around planned protests on Saturday. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has announced the deployment of 70,000 police officers across the country ahead of the demonstrations, which coincide with Halloween.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Nunez said the day of October 31 presents a very high risk of public disorder. Security measures, including the armoured vehicles and water cannon introduced last week, will be strengthened, he said.

In total, 70,000 police officers and gendarmes will be mobilised, matching the number deployed at last week's protests. Nunez described the move as an 'exceptional measure'.

Nationwide protests over the rising cost of living have rocked France, with some demonstrations degenerating into large-scale looting and riots.

Demonstrations last Saturday drew about 410,000 protesters nationwide, according to the interior ministry, although unions put the figure at roughly double that. The ministry said more than 2,700 people were arrested a week earlier.

The 'yellow vest' movement and student unions have called for a new day of protests on Saturday. The yellow vest movement has announced a 'third act' of its protests on Halloween and called for demonstrations outside the National Assembly and all town halls in the country.

Nunez warned demonstrators against using Halloween as a legitimate reason to hide one's face in order to cause disturbances in public areas. He told reporters demonstrations would be allowed, but 'not in city centres, where there is a risk of public disorder'.

The interior minister also issued a warning to far-right groups that clashed with left-wing protesters at rallies in about 15 French cities. 'We will tolerate no excesses,' he said, pledging an 'extremely firm' response.

Nunez accused the 'ultra-left' movement and some yellow vest activists of circulating messages on social media promoting demonstrations on Halloween evening that called for a 'revolution'. Authorities have vowed firm action against violence.