Par for the course behaviour from the morally and economically impoverished of Paris. They can always be counted to turn Paris into the DRC or Algeria at the drop of a hat. On this basis alone, they should be repatriated, and please, save us from all the rhetoric that they were born in France. If they can't behave like Parisians, and that means not rioting, committing acts of attempted murder, arson, wanton destruction of property, common assault, incitement to violence, discharging a weapon in public, and looting, then perhaps we should be looking for more than a birth-right. If the police committed an offence by leaving the scene of an accident they must face the music, no question about that. But let’s not forget, it all started with them doing their duty, in pursuit of criminals.

Marc, Bloemfontein, RSA

It looks more like a job for the military, rather than the police.

terri, london , usa

The main culprits seem to be “youths”. What is striking is that not one agency, newspaper, TV station, has been able to identify these culprits beyond the fact that they are “youths” - in other words somewhere between the ages of 11 and 25.

What is remarkable is that in a riot situation, which is a very difficult situation, journalists have been able to correctly assess the ages of these rioters but have been completely befuddled as to any other identifying characteristic.

Is this mass myopia of the media across Europe just a self-imposed one from fear, or something that emanates from a directive from the EU.

DaveP, Beverley, UK

We are fed up with them all. Once again they want to impose their rule to the country and what will the government do : as usual nothing at all. They are nothing but "riff raff" and it is time to have them realise that there are laws in this country.
If the police are not able to cope with them, the government shoud send the army. Let's bring the Kärscher!

Ben, Paris, France

Jean-Marie Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Front, gave a provocative verdict: “There is an overpopulation of foreigners in our suburbs. There is unemployment, which means that people have time to wander around, to play with cars and all sorts of things, often with stolen cars.”

I just want to say please do not believe this man
Do not believe that immigration is the heart of the problem
In France people do not like police, I do not know why but since I’m a little girl I was told “do not trust policemen, they re bad they re stupid”
And I realise not only my parents told me that, and they have good work and we’re are white, European, French and also citizens of the world.
I don’t know who to blame (previous governments maybe but I’m only 25 !)
And I do not think police is to blame, this kind of accident could happen with anyone else, a lawyer, a plumber etc.

It is just that the problems are what we saw two years ago are still there, there s no communication it was the occasion to restart riots!
Anyway I come from the same department of Villiers le Bel
Good luck to all

Elodie

Elodie, Bournemouth, UK

Why is the 'Socialist' mayor of Villiers-le-Bel, Didier le Vaillant, 'appealing to the youth (mostly black) not to 'succumb to anger'. What the hell have they got to be angry about? Haven't they 'escaped' from 'horror' to the West. Shouldn't they be grateful not angry?

Reality Check, London,

George -- the French police are not getting soft, don't confuse them with the British police (who seem soft, but are more likely overly constrained by absurd neo-liberal policies). The very last thing that Paris needs right now is hard line policing. The French government have repeatedly made false promises & have enacted policies that stigmatize and stratify the low income residents of these communities. Quite frankly these riots are remarkably mild when one considers the abuses heaped on these (largely non-white) working class communities. Really, how many times will the judiciary allow police to get away with killing (even accidentally) young immigrants before the racist French system is forced to change?

zecchinetta, London & NYC,

I think it unfortunate that you conclude your article with a quote that tends to blame the police. The ambulance (pompiers) were prevented from giving any immediate assistance (though it seems it would have been pointless) by the crowd.
Whatever the causes of this deep problem, two things are certain - it's no fun being an immigrant (or of immigrant origin) in one these suburban areas, and it's no more fun being a policeman.

Catherine McMillan, Paris, France

Obviously this situation is impossible to understand for foreigners. After decades of socialoo-communist ruling, including under Chirac, there is in France millions of people having illegaly come, without work, without hope and living on state welfare. They are ready for revolution. The government don't dare to deal with the problem with the right means.

Maillard, Paris,

The French police are getting SOFT. These rioters MUST be dealt with harsh punishment.

george lee, london, uk

It's very strange that such an accident can lead to such overwhelming riots. Maybe probably there is more involved than just those 2 people that unfortunately had an accident with the police. The uproar it caused is way out of proportions and could be debited to the use of newsgroups and MSN chat program. It's no problem to go at home, and tell everybody on your contact list. And if you have a loyal peer group, they will all come and help you. so it's a big farce , the police that caused the accident should give their apologies, because i don't believe they are innocent and the boys they hit aren't. Both are to blame, because if the police agents used their brakes well enough it would not have happened in the first place. They could see these boys coming and could arrest them if they had some common sense.

Wim Hamhuis, Enschede, The Netherlands

It really amazes me that the police in france just cannot handle any sort of opposition from their people, civil war would nearer the truth than rioting!

If i was french i'd be wondering what it is exactly that i'm paying my taxes for!

kim, london,

When will the French government send in the military? No country should put up with their civil servants being harmed in this way. Have some spine!

Thomas, London, U.K.

Two male "youths" on a stolen motorbike and driving without insurance crash with force into a French police car and all the immigrants typically go wild.

On the same night a 23 year old student of journalism, Anne-Lorraine, was stabbed more than 30 times on a French RER train trying in vain to refuse the sexual advances of a Muslim Turkish immigrant (a known serial rapist) and who eventually succumbed to her wounds.

Why aren't the Muslims rioting over the brutal death of this young girl? It is hypocritical that Muslims are not rioting over this savage attack but rioting over the death of two "youth" criminals.

Godiva, Paris, France