Paris police chief, Patrice Faure, has described the student protest movement spreading across France as “out of control”, urging demonstrators to abandon violence and return to peaceful forms of protest.
Faure made the call in an open letter published on X ahead of fresh demonstrations planned for Tuesday, warning that authorities would respond firmly to acts of violence and vandalism.
The protests, which began over complaints about overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, inadequate resources and deteriorating school buildings, have escalated in several parts of France, with riot police clashing with students.
Since Monday, about 5,000 people, mostly teenagers, have been arrested across the country, while dozens of others have sustained injuries.
Agathe Foucault, a spokesperson for the national police, said more than 600 police officers had also been injured.
Faure said those who initiated the protest movement no longer appeared to be in control, urging students to end school blockades and unrest in favour of peaceful action.
“It is time to return to peaceful forms of action,” he said, adding that parents also had a responsibility to keep their children away from what he described as the influence of “professional rioters” and their supporters.
Student unions have called for a nationwide demonstration on Tuesday, while security officials fear that organised protests, particularly in central Paris, could trigger further violence.
They are also concerned that far-left anarchist groups could attempt to take over the movement.
Teachers and members of the public have reportedly been attacked during the unrest, while damage to property has been estimated at tens of millions of euros.
