French riot police have threatened to strike over an alcohol ban.

The CRS (Republican Security Companies), which made its name quelling student demonstrators during nationwide disturbances in 1968, has always enjoyed a glass of beer or wine with its meals.

However, following photos of riot police drinking bottles of beer and wine during Paris street protest, police chiefs have decided to put an end to the tradition. They were wearing body armour and carrying weapons as they sipped from beer and wine bottles and smoked.

Didier Mangione, national secretary of the police union, said bosses were "trying to turn us into priests, but without the altar wine".
"Nobody should object to them having a drink on the job," he said.


While British police are strictly barred from drinking on duty, the French have traditionally been allowed to drink wine and beer.

It was normally served on an official tray and sometimes eaten in full view of the public, often outside riot-control vans.

They are often seen bracing themselves for action on the streets of major cities like Paris, Marseilles and Lyon.
Whenever a riot is threatened,it is invariably the CRS who are called to mobilise.

Their union is making a formal appeal against the new rules to the police authority.