<p>French state places officers as agents of authority tasked with repressing, rather than managing, public dissent</p><p>Familiar images of teargas clouds drifting across Paris squares, police baton charges against masked protesters and terrified teenagers floored – and worse – by stun grenades have once again focused the world’s attention on France’s policing methods.</p><p>While most of its western European neighbours generally favour police tactics that prioritise crowd containment and de-escalation, France has long responded to social movements that take to the streets with at times shocking physical force.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/20/france-culture-violent-policing-protests-riots">Continue reading...</a>
World
France’s culture of violent policing means the battle for its streets is far from over
<p>French state places officers as agents of authority tasked with repressing, rather than managing, public dissent</p><p>Familiar images of teargas clouds drifting across Paris squares, police baton charges against masked protesters and terrified teenagers floored – and worse – by stun grenades have once again focused the world’s attention on France’s policing methods.</p><p>While most of its western European neighbours generally favour police tactics that prioritise crowd containment and de-escalation, France has long responded to social movements that take to the streets with at times shocking physical force.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/20/france-culture-violent-policing-protests-riots">Continue reading...</a>