PARIS: Fearing that actors could be mistaken for police — and chase scenes confused for the real thing — Paris is sharply restricting filming of action movies in the city that has been the stage for some of film’s most memorable high-octane sequences.

Filming outside scenes with police, army or security services was quietly banned after the attacks in the French capital that left 20 dead, including three gunmen.

“There’s a problem with these action-type scenes, as the actors in uniform could be targets for terrorists. Also, the actors could pose confusion for the general public — during this highly sensitive period,” Sylvie Barnaud, the police official who grants outside filming permission in Paris, told The Associated Press.

She did not know how long the ban could last, but tensions remain high in Paris, with armed police and soldiers still posted outside sensitive sites, including synagogues, media offices and major shopping areas.

The telegenic city has long been a favored filming location, especially for chase scenes that feature some of the world’s most recognizable landmarks.

Paris is holding its annual Film Set Fair this week, hoping that it will continue to attract big productions — and trumpets that it gave the green light to 1,159 film productions in the capital last year alone.

“It could have an impact on the big American productions. ... It’s not the right moment to do it,” said Agnes Naggeotte of the Cinema Mission of the City of Paris. “Even if Steven Spielberg wanted to film a big scene with police and a shoot-out in the streets in January I’m sure it would not have got made.”