Rioting raged across France for an 11th night, with more than 1,400 cars burned and 395 arrests made.

Thirty-six policemen were injured across the country, including two who were shot while confronting a mob throwing stones at police in Gringny, near Paris.

The unrest escalated despite a pledge by President Jacques Chirac to restore order.

The town of Evreux, west of Paris, was one of the worst-hit, with rioters destroying some 50 cars, shops and businesses, as well as two schools and a post office.

In Noisy-le Grand - yet another affected Paris suburb - a local gymnasium was burned down.

In several attacks across the country, gangs of youths rammed cars into offices and shops before setting them on fire.

The unrest has been spreading rapidly across the country, sparking fears that other European nations could be affected too.