The leader of the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has spoken out in favour of people arming themselves with guns and self-defence devices following a recent spate of violent attacks in the country.

Frauke Petry said in an interview with the Funke Media Group that as it can take police long periods of time to arrive at crime scenes, particularly in remote areas, people should be able to defend themselves with arms.

"Many people are increasingly feeling unsafe," Petry said. "Every law-abiding citizen should be in a position to defend themselves, their family and their friends."

Petry, who is known for her lively speeches to supporters, rejected calls to tighten gun laws, saying this would affect law-abiding citizens and not those who acquire weapons through the "dark net".

Instead, she criticised the "ruinous cuts" on police, and maintained that the state has lost its monopoly on the use of force in some areas.

Germany already has some of Europe's toughest gun laws. Firearm owners must be at least 18 years old to apply for a weapons licence, and have to show they have a reason for needing a weapon.

Two Islamist attacks and a shooting rampage by a mentally unstable teenager last month have left many Germans on edge.

The AfD is expected to perform well in elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern next month. It already has seats in eight of Germany's 16 state assemblies.

Support for the party is growing partly due to Europe's migrant crisis, which has resulted in over one million refugees arrive over the past year.