Police clashed with protestors in France on Saturday after thousands of people took to the streets to express their anger over a proposed new security bill. 

Officers beat some protestors with batons and fired water cannons and tear gas to disperse large crowds after shops were vandalized and cars set on fire.

According to AFP, protestors included members of France's anti-government Yellow Vest movement as well as 500 rioters who infiltrated an otherwise peaceful crowd.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said that 22 people had been detained, though there haven't yet been reports of any injuries resulting from the clashes.

Last weekend, dozens of people were left wounded following similar clashes between police and protestors who had gathered to condemn the same bill.

Saturday's protests were part of 100 nationwide rallies designed to condemn a draft bill that will make it illegal for people to film or take pictures of police in some circumstances. Anyone found guilty of breaking the law could face up to 12 months in prison and be handed a fine of $54,000.

Critics fear the law will stop journalists and citizens from recording incidents of police brutality and lead to further racial attacks against ordinary people. 

Last month, footage of police officers beating and racially abusing black music producer Michael Zecler sparked outrage in France and led to four policeman being charged in connection to the incident. 

Since that incident, which was condemned by French President Emmanuel Macron, the government has vowed to completely rewrite part of the proposed security bill – but the changes haven't yet been made.

Article 24 of the proposed legislation makes it a criminal offence to publish images
of on-duty police officers with the intent of harming their "physical or psychological integrity."

Christophe Castaner, an MP in Macron's En Marche party, acknowledged concerns about the law in parliament last week. He said: "We know that doubts persist about it... while we can never tolerate any reduction of press freedom or images."

But more protests are likely to follow until the government follows through with its promises.