Hundreds of protesters have clashed violently with police as riots over the alleged rape of a young black man by French police spread into central Paris.

The 22-year-old, who has only been identified as Theo, was allegedly attacked with a baton during what police said was an ID check in a suburb of the French capital earlier this month.

One officer has been charged with rape and another three have been charged with assault.

Image: Riot police attempted to disperse the angry crowds with tear gas

Demonstrations that originated in the suburbs spilled into the busy area of the city around the Barbes Metro Station, close to the Eurostar hub at Gare du Nord, on Wednesday.

Protesters set fire to rubbish bins, smashed windows and hurled objects at police. There were also reports of some demonstrators looting shops.


Riot police responded with tear gas as they attempted to disperse the angry crowds marching through the streets.

Image: Hundreds of protesters took to the streets

The demonstration started peacefully earlier in the day, but turned violent later on as it grew.

Protesters held aloft placards saying "Police, rapists assassins" and "No justice, no peace".

Theo was allegedly attacked on 2 February and described being ordered by police to stand against a wall in Aulnay-sous-Bois.

Image: Protests spread from the suburbs into central Paris

"I saw him with his baton. He rammed it into my buttocks on purpose. I fell onto my stomach, I had no strength left," he told French television station BFM five days later.

Video footage of the arrest filmed by the police has been released.

Protests in response to the alleged attack have led to more than 200 arrests across France.

In 2005, the death of two teenagers who were electrocuted while hiding from police sparked weeks of riots and Aulnay-sous-Bois was among the worst hit areas.