French police shot a man who attacked an officer with a hammer in front of the Notre Dame cathedral.

Local reports say the man had threatened workers at the nearby police headquarters before attacking a policeman. He was then shot in the chest.

The police do not know the attacker’s motive but they have closed down the area. Tourists are currently are being kept in Notre Dame.

Major European cities are on a high state of alert following attacks in Manchester and London in the last two weeks.