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This is the first picture of the suspect who reportedly shouted "This is for Syria", before attacking French police officers with a hammer outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

The French Interior Minister, Gerard Collomb, said the attacker, reportedly an Algerian student, seemed to have acted alone.

Police found kitchen knives, a hammer and other "unsophisticated" weapons on the injured assailant.

He was pictured lying on the ground near the famous French cathedral after police shot him in the chest.

The man was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries and one officer is 'lightly injured'.

(Image: EPA) (Image: EPA) (Image: AFP)

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The counter-terrorism unit of the Paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation.

Police sources said the officers shot at the man after he had threatened them with a hammer and refused to stop at around 4.30pm local time.

Police union official Cedric Michel said the attacker targeted the officer on patrol on the esplanade in front of the cathedral.

(Image: Facebook, ABC) (Image: AFP) (Image: EPA)

The attacker was then "neutralised" by police, he added.

Crowds scattered outside the cathedral after hearing gunfire, according to reports.

(Image: Facebook, ABC)

(Image: AFP)

(Image: AFP)

The motive for the attack was not immediately known.

Paris remains under high security after a string of Islamic extremist attacks in recent years, including several targeting police officers and security personnel.

Police had earlier said they were dealing with an incident in the courtyard outside the world-famous tourist site and warned the public to stay away.

Large numbers of police cars sped to the area on the Ile de Cite island in the River Seine.

Police tweeted: "Square in front of #NotreDame Intervention being the number of police, avoid the area."

Witness Mark Johnson posted on Twitter: "Loud bangs just now at Notre Dame. Crowd scattered. Sirens going off.

(Image: Facebook, ABC) (Image: AFP) (Image: REUTERS)

(Image: @enraje/Twitter)

(Image: @cuneytuysal/Twitter)

"Sounded more like gunshots than explosion. Came from NE corner of the plaza in front of ND.

"Have family with me so we left area quickly.

"Rest of Paris going about their day among the sirens."

Tourists and locals piled into the cathedral after hearing the gunshots.

Officers told people to put their hands on their heads inside the famous church as they dealt with the incident.

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(Image: Matthew Currie Holmes‏) (Image: AFP)

Nancy Soderberg tweeted: "Locked inside #notre dame cathedral in #paris while police investigate attack outside against a policeman. All calm."

Witness Matthew Curie Holmes said: "We're trapped in Notre-Dame de Paris, something is happening outside. Police sirens can be heard. They are not letting anyone in or out.

"We were just told that the doors will remain locked until the police tell us otherwise. We have no idea what's happening.

"They are assuring us to the center of the church and asking us to sit in the pews."

He added that everyone inside the cathedral is safe but that he was "on edge".

Mr Holmes added: "Needless to say my family and I are a little on edge. We were in London when the London bridge attacks happened."

French Journalist, David Rahul Métreau, said: "All what I can say is that a vehicle resembling an armored truck is in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral."