The Neo-Nazi National Democratic Party (NPD) has launched the so-called neighbourhood defence groups in Amberg, according to local newspaper Mittelbayerische Zeitung. The groups have reportedly been seen wearing yellow vests in the small Bavarian town. Local mayor Michael Cerny condemned the NPD after news of the patrols by the alleged Neo-Nazi group was reported.
Mr Cerny said: “I can completely understand the insecurity that some people in Amberg are feeling right now.
“But this hatred and the threats of violence now coming from all over the country go too far.”
Following last weekend’s incident, the NPD posted pictures and video on Facebook of members patrolling the streets in high-viz vests.
Their tops are emblazoned with the slogan “Protection Zones”.
But the NPD has been accused of being a neo-Nazi, white supremacist and anti-Semitic group.
Germany’s government has tried to ban it several times.
But following this week’s patrols, an NDP spokesman posted on Facebook: “When we say we will create protection zones in Amberg, we mean it.”
It follows a number of unprovoked assaults last Saturday in the town when four migrants attacked people in the town.
The group of migrants, said to be from Iran and Afghanistan, are said to have assaulted people near Amberg’s railway station.
Twelve people, aged 17-42, were reportedly injured with one man hospitalised after being pushed down a flight of stairs.
The migrants said to be behind the attacks were arrested and are in police custody.
Bavaria’s Conservative governor Markus Soeder said: “We condemn in the strongest terms the crimes committed in Amberg.
“But we also condemn the fact that certain far-right groups are trying to abuse this.”
Last August, vigilantes attacked foreign-appearing people in the German city of Chemnitz.
Angela Merkel’s spokesman described the vigilantes as “hunting foreigners”.