In the space of two days, police shot and killed two young men in two different parts of France and as almost invariably happens following such incidents, their deaths have been followed by rioting and attacks on vehicles and police. The most serious disorders were in Lyon and followed the shooting of a 24 year old man, a father of three, who was in custody at the time in a police station in the city.

He'd been arrested in possession of a shot gun and that was the weapon used by a police officer at the police station, who shot him in the face, in circumstances that have not been made fully clear. The officer, who has a record of indiscipline, has been suspended and detained and an official inquiry has been opened, but the reaction in the housing estate, known locally as Chicago, where the man lived, was swift and violent.

During the night 22 vehicles were set on fire and police and fire fighters attacked. There was also violence at a housing estate south east of Paris, after the death of a 16 year old.

He was killed while trying to force his way through a police blockade. In that case police said they were acting in self defence after the car was driven at them.

In the housing estate where the young man lived there was rioting over night. Cars were set on fire and petrol bombs thrown at police.