Vigilantism against immigrants is considered to have become more widespread after the sexual assaults by migrants in Cologne and other German cities on New Year 's Eve 2015 . In January 2016 a mob attacked a group of Pakistanis in Cologne , and at Bautzen in February , an arson attack on a hostel for asylum seekers took place In February 2018 , in Heilbronn , a 70-year-old man knifed three immigrants while drunk , in a protest " about the current refugee policy " . A perceived increase in attacks on immigrants led to Chancellor Angela Merkel condemning anti-immigrant " vigilante " groups following the Chemnitz incident
Chemnitz incident
2018 Chemnitz protests
Immigration and crime in Germany