Violence flares on the streets of Paris as police move in to break up climate change protest banned under emergency laws brought in after terror attacks

Over 200 protesters were arrested in Paris after masked anarchists tried to start a riot in the city today as the police stopped them demonstrating before the UN climate change summit.

All protests have been banned in the capital city following the terrorist attacks two weeks ago in which 130 people died. But around 500 people turned up in Place de la Republique anyway, and started throwing bottles and stones at CRS riot squads.

They responded with tear gas and baton charges, soon after 2pm, and an uneasy stand off followed. By late evening, the number of arrests had risen to 208, with 174 of those in custody placed under formal police investigation. 

Hitting back: One riot police officer unleashed a large amount of spray into the eyes of one activist during protests this afternoon