SYDNEY - FOUR protestors were arrested on Saturday when a demonstration by Tibetans at the Chinese consulate in Sydney turned violent, police said.

Media reports said police used batons and pepper spray to break up the demonstration, which came after China said on Saturday that 10 people had been killed during violent unrest in Tibet.

New South Wales state police said officers moved in after protestors tried to force their way into the consulate in suburban Camperdown, about three kilometres from Sydney's city centre.

'The consulate was not breached, one person was arrested for assaulting police,' a police spokesman said.

No details of charges against the other three demonstrators were available.

Australian Associated Press reported that police and protesters fought a running battle on the street outside the consulate. It reported at least eight people were arrested.

Police said the protesters were dispersed after beng contained in a park near the consulate.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith urged Chinese authorities to exercise restraint towards protesters in Lhasa.

'We call on Chinese authorities to act with restraint and to deal with protesters peacefully,' he said.

'We urge the Chinese government to allow peaceful expression of dissent.' -- AFP