'Violent groups' looking to extend Catalan crisis - PM Sanchez

MADRID (Reuters) - The Spanish government has information suggesting there are "violent groups" who want to keep Catalonia in a state of crisis, acting Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Friday.

"What they will find is a firm and considered response from the state's security forces," Sanchez told broadcaster La Sexta, when asked about the protests, at times violent, that have taken place in the northeastern region since several Catalan separatist leaders were jailed last week.

(Reporting by Ashifa Kassam)