Anti-immigrant arsonists were today suspected of trying to burn down a ‘new Sangatte’ centre for the homeless, in one of the most upmarket areas of Paris, as children slept inside.

The attack on the £4million buildings – which opened in the 16th arrondissement on Saturday – saw thugs launch their attack while there were families inside, including young children.

It is the second attack on the centre and follows the French authorities destroying a series of illegal camps across the city, many containing UK bound migrants.

Thomas Lauret, a Socialist councillor, said: ‘I strongly condemn the arsonists who again tried to damage the centre for the homeless in the 16th last night, inauguration day.

A woman holds her child as she sits in the newly-opened housing centre for homeless people on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne in the 16th arrondissement of Paris on Saturday

The centre for the homeless (pictured on Saturday) is made up of five wooden buildings containing 24 housing units each. It is located in the wealthy 16th arrondissement area of Paris

There were 24 children sleeping inside the building when anti-immigration arsonists launched their attack

‘The individuals reportedly threw inflammable products inside and tried to set fire to the partially occupied centre.’

Mr Lauret used Twitter to condemn ‘these odious acts’ and called for the attackers ‘to be arrested.’

There were a total of 27 adults and 24 children inside at the time, and all had to be evacuated.

The centre, which is made up of five wooden buildings containing 24 housing units each, has gone up next to the Bois du Boulogne, the historic wood.

They are situated next to palatial apartments worth up to £3 million each – prompting intense anger from neighbours.

Some 40,000 local residents have signed a petition describing the centre as a ‘New Sangatte’ – a reference to the former Red Cross centre near Calais that acted as a magnet for thousands of migrants.

This picture was taken on October 17, during the construction phase, when the centre was affected by arson

Socialist councillor Thomas Lauret used Twitter to condemn ‘these odious acts’ and called for the attackers ‘to be arrested.’ The building is pictured on Saturday, before the attack

The centre was affected on October 17 by an arson but the controversial housing centre for homeless people opened as scheduled on November 5

Paris city council insists that only registered homeless people will be allowed inside the Paris facility, but opponents say there are now so many refugees in the city that they will head there.

They say an influx of migrants from countries such as Afghanistan and Eritrea will lead to an increase in lawlessness and hygiene problems, and lead to house prices collapsing.

But according to Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, the 16th arrondissement currently provides just eight of the 9700 emergency accommodation places in the city.

On Friday demolition workers supported by CRS riot police cleared a series of camps in the Stalingrad area of Paris, close to the Eurostar hub, and dispersed some 3000 migrants.

A picture taken on October 17 shows the damage done to the building when it was last attacked by arsonists

A man walks by the construction site of housing centre for homeless people on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne in the 16th arrondissement of the French capital Paris, on September 14

A volunteer (centre) plays with children in a collective space of the newly-opened housing centre for homeless people on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo (centre) and French Housing minister Emmanuelle Cosse (C-L) listen to architect Guillaume Hannoun (C-R), who designed the centre

Many had been in the so-called ‘Jungle’ refuge camp in Calais, which was also razed the week before, with around 7000 migrants moved on.

While many agreed to be bused to resettlement centres around France, others headed off independently while pledging to continue their journeys to the UK.

The 16th arrondissement of Paris is one of the most desirable – and wealthiest – in the French capital.

It is the third richest district in the whole of France for average household income, and includes embassies, prestige museums and art galleries.

Multi-millionaires who live there include heiress Carla Bruni, who is also a supermodel, pop singer, and the third wife of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Russian oligarchs, Arab oil tycoons and dotcom billionaires regularly purchase property there, as well as more traditional French families who are attracted by the parks and leafy avenues.

On Friday there were tensions as a migrant camp was dismantled in the Stalingrad district of Paris

Hundreds of French police cleared a huge migrant camp in northeast Paris on Friday in a fresh sign of the government's determination to take refugees off the streets and into shelters