Anti-drug riot

Taking the law into their own hands, youths in the poor Lille suburb of Les Biscottes chased out drug-dealers, drawing praise and mild reproach from the conservative government, which has made urban security one of its priorities, writes Julian Nundy in Paris.

Simone Weil, whose ministerial portfolios include urban affairs, said the action had 'both a troubling and a positive aspect'. Charles Pasqua, the Interior Minister, said it was up to the police to conduct such operations, although he welcomed the youths' initiative.