French police arrest 150 people and spray water cannon at bottle-throwing demonstrators in Paris during third weekend of clashes over Macron's controversial new security law

French police arrested nearly 150 people and sprayed a water cannon at bottle-throwing demonstrators during the third weekend of clashes over President Macron's proposed new security laws.

Officers waded into the crowds of several thousand to haul away suspected trouble-makers in Paris today.

Police targeted protesters they suspected might form violent groups like those who vandalised stores and vehicles and attacked officers at previous demonstrations.

They used pepper spray, riot shields and batons against violent protesters before using a water cannon later in the evening. 

The interior minister said police detained 142 people. 

French police arrested nearly 150 people and sprayed a water cannon at bottle-throwing demonstrators  during the third weekend of clashes over President Macron's proposed new security laws

 A protester holds a light flare during the demonstration in Paris today. It is the third weekend of demonstrations in France during protests against a security bill currently going through French parliament

Thousands of protesters march near the Porte Saint-Martin during a demonstration in Paris today

A photographer, injured in the head during clashes with the police, is carried by demonstrators during a march against France's controversial global security law in Paris today

A protestor holds a flare while standing on the statue of Marianne on Place de la Republique as huge crowds gather round during the protest in Paris today

Long lines of riot officers and police vehicles with blue lights flashing escorted Saturday's march through rain-slickened streets. 

They hemmed in protesters, seeking to prevent the flare-up of violence that marked many previous demonstrations.

A police water cannon doused demonstrators at the end of the march, as night fell.

Marchers were protesting against a proposed security law that has sparked successive weekends of demonstrations and against a draft law aimed at combating Islamist radicalism.

French police forces clash with protesters during a demonstration against France's controversial global security law in Paris today

A protester holds a sign showing the French President Emmanuel Macron as a virus during the demonstration in Paris today

Policemen holding riot shields stand side-by-side as a flare lights up the street in Place de la Republique during the demonstration in Paris today

French riot police arrest a protester after clashes during the demonstration against France's controversial global security law in Paris today

Protesters wearing masks of President Emmanuel Macron hold flares on Place de la Republique during the demonstration in Paris today

Members of the BRAV division of French police spray pepper spray on protesters during clashes at the demonstration in Paris today

Demonstrators help the photographer who was injured during clashes with French riot police during the protest in Paris today

An injured protester plays a drum as blood pours down his chest from his face during the protest in Paris today

Police spray protesters holding their middle fingers up with a water cannon during the protest against the 'global security' bill in Paris today

Demonstrators set a motorbike on fire and march through the streets of Paris carrying signs against France's proposed new security bill today

Last weekend cars were ignited by furious gangs of rioters in Paris as thousands marched in the city.

Flames and thick black smoke filled major streets in the French capital last Saturday as youths wearing black masks and balaclavas threw missiles including Molotov Cocktails at the police.  

Interior minister Gerald Darmanin said at least 64 people were arrested during the protests and eight police officers were injured. In a tweet, he praised police for facing down 'very violent individuals'. 

The interior ministry said about 52,350 people demonstrated around France, including 5,000 in Paris on the day. 

French riot police holding shield line up to face off with demonstrators at the Place de la Republique during a demonstration against the global security bill' in Paris today

French police use batons to beat protesters during a demonstration against France's controversial global security law in Paris today

A protester holding a sign reading 'peace keepers?' faces police during the demonstration against France's controversial global security law in Paris today

A masked protester throws an aerosol can during a demonstration in Paris todayagainst the 'global security' draft law

BRAV division police officers lead off an arrested protester during the demonstration in Paris today. The interior minister said police detained 142 people

A protester holds a sign saying 'Live yes, survive no' as others hold up French flags and a sign for Metallica's album ...And Justice For All at the demonstration in Paris today

The security bill's most contested measure could make it more difficult to film police officers. 

It aims to outlaw the publication of images with intent to cause harm to police. 

Critics fear it could erode media freedom and make it more difficult to expose police brutality. 

The provision caused such an uproar that the government has decided to rewrite it.