Violent clashes between police and left-wing extremists accompanied an anti neo-Nazi demonstration in Dortmund on Saturday.

According to police in the city, some 1,500 left-wing demonstrators from across Germany tried to break through barriers that police had erected to keep them away from a march by neo-Nazis.

The annual march in Dortmund is one of the largest neo-Nazi marches in the country, with about 750 neo-Nazis taking part.

In contrast, some 10,000 people are believed to have taken part in the anti-fascist counter-demonstration.

Police were pelted with stones and bottles, as well as being targeted with pepper spray and fireworks by the left-wing extremists. One police officer was severely injured, according to the police, with several others also hurt.

Officers used batons and water cannon to break up the rioters, with more than 270 demonstrators arrested.

The violence against police was condemned by the minister in charge of interior affairs for the German state of North-Rhine Westphalia, Ralf Jäger. Police had been "defending people's right to demonstrate," said Jäger.

Neo-Nazis have been gathering in the town for an annual demonstration for the past seven years.

Author: Richard Connor (dpa, dapd)

Editor: Sean Sinico