The deputy director of public security in New Caledonia, Mario Banner-Martin, says police there are 'exasperated' at rising levels of urban violence.
Mr Banner-Martin has told a news conference police have had enough of being mistreated by young people who've drunk alcohol and smoked cannabis to excess.
Youths in a stolen car drove at two police officers who'd tried to stop them in the suburbs of Noumea on Wednesday night.
The four people in the car, including a 17-year-old girl have been held for questioning, after the driver was found to have a high blood-alcohol level.
Six police officers were wounded in a skirmish involving 150 youths at the beginning of the month.
Officials say youth crime in the French territory rose by 17 percent last year over 2003.
