Amid growing fears that scenes could be confused for actual terrorist attacks, Paris has officially banned movie studios from filming high-octane and chase scenes around the city.

Outdoor sets featuring actors or extras dresses as police, army or security personnel were banned by the police officials who issue licenses to studios in the wake of the January terrorist attacks that left 20 people dead, including three terrorists.

"There's a problem with these action-type scenes, as the actors in uniform could be targets for terrorists," said police spokesperson Sylvie Barnaud to The Associated Press. "Also, the actors could pose confusion for the general public — during this highly sensitive period."

Ms Barnaud said she could not say how long the ban would last, but that with armed officers patrolling Paris and other French cities during this heightened period of threat, the public’s confusion was something authorities did not want to deal with.

The move has drawn criticism from some within the French film industry, with Paris set to go ahead with its Film Set Fair next week. In 2014, the picturesque capital played host to almost 1,200 film productions.

"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."

The city of lights has proven to be a popular setting for countless Hollywood productions, including 2014’s Lucy and Edge of Tomorrow – but production on both of those films would have come to a standstill under the new policy.

Several domestic shoots have been affected by the change, which also refuses to grant permission for filming in and around religious sites and schools – both of which are currently under protections in France’s emergency security plans.