French police braced for May Day demonstrations
French police are bracing themselves for May Day demonstrations for and against Jean-Marie Le Pen.
Some 3,500 security forces, from riot police to plain clothes officers, are being deployed in Paris alone to deal with the expected thousands of protesters.
Hundreds of hidden surveillance cameras have been installed above Paris streets and two helicopters will be used to monitor the crowds from a command centre at police headquarters.
Marches are also planned in 70 cities around France - the climax of growing protests against Le Pen ahead of Sunday's presidential run-off between Le Pen and Jacques Chirac.
