LONDON (AFP) - The Beijing Olympics flame wraps up its high-security tour of Europe Monday in Paris where campaigners are planning a day of "spectacular" protests over China's human rights record.

The flame arrived in France late Sunday after a chaotic stop in London, where police battled to keep pro-Tibet protesters away from the flame and made 37 arrests.

In Paris, police plan to secure a perimeter of some 200 metres (yards) around the torch as it is carried in relay by 80 runners on a 28-kilometre (18-mile) route from the Eiffel Tower to a stadium in the south of the capital.

The torchbearers will be protected by a cordon of 65 motorcycle police, 100 firemen, another 100 police on roller blades and nearly 50 vehicles with more than 200 riot police.

Media freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) -- which disrupted the lighting of the flame last month in Athens -- has promised to stage "symbolic, spectacular" actions, but carried out "with respect for the Games."

Pro-Tibetan activists are also to hold a day of protests opposite the Eiffel Tower from 10:00 am (0800 GMT), but not directly on the flame's route.

And Paris's Socialist mayor Bertrand Delanoe plans to unfurl a giant banner over city hall in defence of human rights.

British police battled to keep pro-Tibet demonstrators away from the Beijing Olympics flame as it passed through London Sunday, arresting 37 protesters who tried to disrupt the high-security tour.

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes took the torch from Premier League footballer Theo Walcott, ran the last leg of the 31-mile (48-kilometre) route to east London's O2 Arena, and lit a cauldron on a stage in front of the indoor stadium before hundreds of onlookers.

Earlier in the day, however, there were continual scuffles along the route as each member of the relay team of renowned British athletes, pop stars and television personalities handed over the flame to the next runner.

Police on bikes and running alongside the flame escorted each member of the relay.

Two demonstrators against China's crackdown in Tibet were arrested as they attempted to extinguish the torch Sunday morning, and a third was pushed to the ground as he tried to seize the flame from a British television presenter taking part in the relay later in the day.

Police said they made 37 arrests and estimated that more than 1,000 demonstrators turned out. Of those arrested, three were bailed pending further inquiries, while the remainder were either cautioned, received a fine or released with no further action. None have yet been charged.

A Beijing Olympic official, meanwhile, strongly criticised attempts by the pro-Tibet activists to disrupt the torch relay, state media reported.

An unnamed spokesman from the torch relay centre of the Beijing Olympic Organising Committee was quoted as saying the Olympic flame represented peace, friendship and progress, the state Xinhua news agency said.

Shouts of "Free Tibet, Free Tibet," echoed around the London streets, while demonstrators held up banners and had their faces painted in the colours of the Tibetan flag. Pro-China supporters were also out in force.

Former Olympic champion rower Steve Redgrave started the relay that began at Wembley Stadium under unseasonal snowfall. There were arrests as Redgrave handed over the flame to a 16-year-old girl.

A spokesman for the Chinese embassy told AFP that its ambassador to Britain, Fu Ying, had run without trouble in London's Chinatown. He would not confirm reports that her route had been changed to avoid trouble.

Beijing has faced international criticism over its crackdown on protests in Tibet that began on March 10 and which have spread to other areas of China with Tibetan populations.

Exiled Tibetan leaders say more than 150 people have been killed in the unrest. China has given a figure of 20.

But China's top official in Tibet, rejecting demands by activists around the world, insisted on Sunday that the torch relay would pass through Tibet as planned.

Some 2,000 British police officers were deployed to protect the London torch procession.

The torch was met by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at his Downing Street residence. Brown has brushed aside criticism of his plans to attend Beijing Olympic ceremonies, insisting it is the right thing as London will host the 2012 Games.

Among the other torch-bearers were round-the-world sailor Ellen MacArthur, tennis player Tim Henman, rugby player Kenny Logan, rower Ed Coode, cricketer Kevin Pietersen, violinist Vanessa Mae, singers the Sugababes, rugby coach Clive Woodward and heptathlete Denise Lewis.

Stand-up comedian Francesca Martinez withdrew from the event Thursday in protest against China.