French police in New Caledonia say a policeman was injured near Noumea when he was hit in the head by a rock thrown by a drunken youth.
The incident happened as police and firefighters arrived in the township of Saint Louis after a car was set ablaze.
Police say when they arrived at the scene they were attacked by about 30 young masked people hiding in the bush who hurled rocks at them and their vehicles.
Police say this year ten officers have been injured while on duty.
