VILLIERS-LE-BEL, France — Police will step up security in north Paris suburbs to prevent a third night of unrest, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said on Tuesday, promising a firm line against rioters who attack police.**********
"Those who fire on the police and who beat a police officer nearly to death, are criminals and must be treated like criminals," said Mr. Fillon.
UPDATE: As long as there's no tasers, huh?
Patrick Ribeiro, the head of Synergie union, put the number of police casualties higher than the official figures. He said 77 officers were injured last night and that most rioters are under 18.
"It's much more violent than in 2005," Ribeiro said in a telephone interview. "They've shot at us with handguns and hunting rifles.
If our officers have to protect their lives, they may have to shoot and that's not what we want."
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