Three of them had criminal records for drug trafficking, theft and violence, he said.

BBC: French police kill man in wave of anti-terror raids

By noon, more than 1, 179 people had appeared before the courts, the Ministry of Justice said, mostly on charges related to burglary, theft and handling, violence and violent disorder - 65% of people charged were remanded in custody.

BBC: England riots: Broken society is top priority - Cameron

Anti-social behaviour, alcohol-related violence, drink-drivers and retail theft are some of the issues they have been targeting since the launch earlier in December.

BBC: RELATED BBC SITES