France deploys 70,000 police ahead of Halloween protests

Police and gendarmes deployed

70,000 officers

About 70,000 police officers and gendarmes will be deployed on Saturday, the same number as at last week's protests, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said.

Last Saturday's protests over the cost of living drew about 410,000 people, according to the interior ministry, while unions put the figure at roughly double. The ministry said more than 2,700 people were arrested.

What's next

Demonstrations will be allowed, but not in city centres, and gatherings calling for a "revolution" on Halloween evening will be banned. Nunez warned against using Halloween masks to hide one's face.