News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A female police officer and her boss suffered a "cowardly and criminal lynching" by a gang of rampaging youths who then posted videos of the attack online.

The woman – who has not been named – was filmed being kicked around like a rag doll as the gang around her whooped and screamed in the attack in a notoriously bad neighbourhood of Paris.

Earlier in the clip, the youths jumped on top of a car that had been flipped on to its roof.

In the video, an unidentified woman is using Paris street slang to say: "The evening has really gone wrong!

"Goodness! Poor copper!"

The office's colleague was so badly hurt that at one stage he was forced to remove his pistol from its holster, but he did not get a shot off.

The horrifying incident took place in the early hours of Monday following an emergency call in the suburb of Champigny-sur-Marne, to the south east of the French capital.

(Image: @NDressing/Twitter) (Image: @Damien Rieu/Twitter)

Videos posted on social media sites have caused outrage across the country, with French President Emmanuel Macron pledging to bring the culprits to justice.

"Those guilty of the cowardly and criminal lynching of police doing their duty on the night of December 31st will be found and punished," said Mr Macron.

"Force will support the law.

"Honour to the police and full support to all the agents attacked in such a low level fashion."

(Image: @NDressing/Twitter)

The two officers were investigating reports of widespread disorder outside a house in Champigny, where a New Year party was taking place.

Many were refused entry, leading to fighting in the street, and when the police arrived they in turn were attacked.

The rioters themselves filmed the attack on the woman, who was screaming and trying to protect her head throughout.

She was the driver of a duty police captain, who was also beaten up, although this is not thought to have been filmed.

Both were finally rescued by colleagues, and then rushed to nearby hospitals.

They were suffering from concussion and numerous injuries, although their condition was not life threatening.

(Image: @Damien Rieu/Twitter)

Their assailants meanwhile ran away into a nearby housing estate, after destroying the patrol car in which the attacked officers had arrived.

A source close to the case said: "The captain had tried to defend the pair using a tear gas canister, but was badly beaten up.

"At one stage he produced his service weapon, but did not get a shot off. The female officer has been written off work for at least a week, while the captain will be off for at least 10 days."

Hugely violent attacks on the police have become commonplace in France in recent years.