Im from there and basicly the situation is simple. The cop just cant shoot at those thugs, if he does hes going straight to prison, the thieves know that very well thats the reason they just arent scared at all, they know its just bluff from the cop. Then them taking the gun and firing at the police man is fucking crazy i have to say.
In France the law protects the criminal 100%. If you dare using self defence or try to stop something happening using force you WILL get prosecuted. Recently a bar owner shot at some robber with a hunting rifle, the robber died and the guy got sentenced to several years in prison...
Theres a lot of criminality, mugging and assaults and lets be real 99% of the criminals are arabs/blacks. The sentences they get are just a complete joke. Ive travelled a lot and every single place i went felt safe than Paris and its suburbs.