End of Year vandalism in several French cities

There have been serious disturbances overnight in parts of France, with scores of vehicles set alight and widespread vandalism.

The worst of the violence took place in the eastern city of Strasbourg, despite the presence of several hundred police officers and fire-fighters.

Local youths clashed with police, attacked cars and buildings and threw stones and other missiles from high-rise buildings, when fire-fighters attempted to intervene.

Street violence was alsoreported in a number of towns near Paris.

In his New Year's Eve message to the nation, President Jacques Chirac identified the fear of violence as one of the chief concerns of the French people.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service