New Charlie Hebdo scare as Paris policeman is shot on guard duty

TERRORISM fears were heightened in France yesterday when a policeman guarding government buildings was shot and wounded.

He was on patrol at a complex belonging to the French interior ministry when he came across two intruders in the early hours of the morning, a department spokesman said.

One grabbed the officer’s gun and was able to fire at him before escaping. Police said the officer – who is thought to have been wearing a bulletproof vest – had been taken to hospital but his life was not in danger.

French authorities remain tense following the Charlie Hebdo attacks by Islamic extremists seven months ago.

Special security forces yesterday surrounded and searched the build- ing in Pantin, north-east Paris – which includes a garage for police vehicles – but did not find the two suspects.

Pierre-Henry Brandet, from the ministry, added that it was unclear why the men were in the building.

Last night French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve praised the bravery of the policeman and promised full support in his recovery.

Raids on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and a Parisian supermarket in January left 17 people dead, not including the gunmen.

The publication came under attack for printing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, which the terrorists claimed were offensive. The killings sparked a worldwide show of solidarity under the banner Je Suis Charlie.