Banned from demonstrating, anti-police protesters set fire to a police car in Paris as cops took to the streets to vent their frustration over the stresses produced by near daily clashes with young people opposing a controversial labor bill reform.

Local media reported there were police officers inside the car when it was torched. They were evacuated to safety when the car went up in flames.

Dramatic footage showed a member of the public trying to extinguish the fire, as riot police headed towards the scene.

Condemning what it described as mounting "anti-cop hatred", the Alliance police union called for a midday Wednesday rally in Paris's Place de la Republique, scene of regular skirmishes in past weeks between police and youths hurling petrol bombs and stones.

Some activists denounced the police protest as a provocation, and many were angered that they were blocked from reaching the Place de la Republique.

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