REUTERS Protestors took to the streets of Cologne today

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Around 1,000 men of "North African and Arabic" appearance formed gangs to rob, rape and assault women in the German town. Members of far-right group PEGIDA were among those who took to the streets of the German city to march against the attacks and also express outrage at an alleged cover-up by police and media organisations over the involvement of migrants. Police were said to have turned the water cannon on members of the right-wing group after a stand-off with officers threatened to boil over.

Two people were injured in the clashes and police made a number of arrests. It came after protesters, chanting "Merkel must go" were said to have thrown beer bottles at officers. The angry scenes come as German chancellor Angela Merkel, whose policies have seen over a million immigrants taken in by the country, has urged for refugees who commit crimes to lose their rights to asylum. The leader's comments are seen as an attempt to quell growing anger at the sex attacks, which also occurred in a number of other parts of the country.

REUTERS There were confrontations between police and protestors today

REUTERS A water cannon was fired on protesters leaving two injured

The right to asylum can be lost if someone is convicted on probation or jailed Merkel

Mrs Merkel said: ”The right to asylum can be lost if someone is convicted on probation or jailed. "Serial offenders who repeatedly rob or repeatedly affront women must feel the full force of the law.” About 1,700 police officers were on the streets of Cologne as protesters, including members of the anti-Islam PEGIDA movement, waited for official permission to march through the city.

At a separate left-wing protest, more than 2,000 mostly women gathered close to the train station where many of the attacks, including muggings and sexual assaults, happened. Read one sign held by a demonstrator said: "No means no. Keep away from our bodies.”

Cologne: Sex Attacks and Robberies Tue, January 12, 2016 Thirty-one suspects, including 18 asylum seekers, are under investigation over offences including sexual assault and theft in Cologne on New Year's Eve. Far right protestors in Lepzig have rallied against refugees and German chancellor Angela Merkel. Play slideshow Reuters•Getty 1 of 22 Protestors in Lepzig rally after over 100 women were sexually assualted on New Year's Eve

REUTERS Anti-Nazi groups always marched

Merkel's conservative party said it wanted to reduce and control migration to Germany, and send those who had been refused asylum home promptly. The party said in a statement: "We want to reduce the hurdles for the deportation and expulsion of foreigners who have committed a crime.” Such a move would require a change to German law.

REUTERS PEGIDA members hold up the National Democratic Party flag