The mayor of Lyon has requested police reinforcements.

 Lyon Mayor Grégory Doucet had earlier requested that extra national police be sent to the southern city to ensure security tonight.

According to French media, the country's interior ministry has confirmed that it will send a CRS 8 police unit comprised of 60 officers specializing in urban violence.

Lyon, as previously reported, was one of the hotspots of last night's riots, with reports of 35 officers being injured and eight public buildings, including a police station, being attacked.