Luxury brands worry Parisian crime will stop tourists from shopping

The streets of Paris are getting a reputation of being unsafe for tourists and is threatening the great brand names of French fashion.

A leading association that counts Chanel and Dior as members urged the authorities to take action on the climate of insecurity which it said could keep cash-flush tourists away.

Several recent incidents have tarnished the image of Paris - the world's most visited city - including muggings and thefts targeting tourists and street violence.

France's luxury industry makes a large portion of its profits from tourism, particularly from the newly rich from emerging countries such as China,