Paris, Dec 13 (IANS): At least 142 protesters were arrested in Paris during a demonstration against a controversial security bill that restricts publishing police images, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.

Taking to Twitter on Saturday, Darmanin said the 142 people have been arrested in the capital's demonstration "thanks to our police officers and gendarmes' determined and courageous action against the troublemakers who came in large number... Several hundred thugs had come to commit violence", reports Xinhua news agency.

Police found in their bags materials that could be used as projectiles to cause damage to public or private properties, including adjustable wrench and screwdriver, French media reported.

French police fired tear gas and used water cannon in response to some protesters who allegedly pelted them with projectiles.

Violence in Paris was less severe than a week ago when some 400 to 500 protesters vandalised shop fronts, torched cars and burned barricades.

Demonstrations were also held on Saturday in other French cities such as Montpellier, Strasbourg, Lille, Toulouse and Marseille, French media reported.

Saturday's protests were the third consecutive weekend of street action across French cities after the government introduced the controversial draft bill.

Critics said the bill, which has been adopted by the lower house of parliament, would restrain freedom of expression and impede media reporting on possible police brutality, while the government has justified it as a way to protect policemen from threats and violence.

Under street pressure, President Emmanuel Macron's ruling LREM party announced last week said it would rewrite the controversial Article 24, which is about filming the police.

The announcement, however, fell short of the expectations of protesters and rights groups, who are demanding that the law be completely withdrawn, according to French media.