PARIS - Police battled protesters in a Paris square and new looting was reported on Oct 18, one day after nationwide rallies descended into widespread chaos and looting. AFP journalists said several hundred people gathered in the Republique square in Paris following social media calls for a gathering.

Television footage showed the looting of a clothing store in the neighbourhood. Bikes were also set alight nearby. The looting of a store was also reported in the city of Lyon on Oct 18.

Place de la Republique in Paris is a habitual gathering site for protests, and was the scene of widespread clashes and pillaging on Oct 17.

The Paris police prefecture said the latest demonstration had not been approved and police “carried out checks” and “put a security arrangement in place” to be able to “intervene quickly if needed.”“Faced with the initial signs of tension” police moved in “to disperse (the crowd) and make arrests,” the prefecture added.

Some 855 arrests were made in Paris on Oct 17 when several buildings and stores were looted and set alight amid pitched battles between police and masked demonstrators.

Tear gas was fired a first time at the Republique square on Oct 18 to break up the rally, according to television images, but the protesters returned and AFP journalists said bottles and rocks were thrown at security forces who responded with tear gas and stun grenades. Police charged the crowd to try to break it up and several arrests were made.

Demonstrators put up banners around the statue at the heart of the square complaining about the cost of living. Many were dressed in black and some were masked.