Paris deputy mayor says police resources were insufficient during unrest

Paris First Deputy Mayor Lamia El Aaraje said police resources had been insufficient to ensure safety during Saturday's unrest, speaking on franceinfo.

Residents called the city administration asking where the police were, El Aaraje said. She attributed the pressure on law enforcement to the large number of incidents. The mayors of Limoges, Marseille and Lyon voiced similar criticism, BFMTV reported.

Mass demonstrations against the high cost of living took place across France on Saturday. Several cities saw clashes, shop looting and arson. Police used tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez's provisional tally put arrests at 1800 and injuries among law enforcement officers and firefighters at more than 500. The ministry estimated nationwide attendance at 550000, including 110000 in Paris.