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More than 200 refugee homes burned or attacked in Germany More than 200 refugee homes burned or attacked in Germany
(about 14 hours later)
Refugee homes have been attacked more than 200 times in Germany - with only four culprits arrested to date.Refugee homes have been attacked more than 200 times in Germany - with only four culprits arrested to date.
The country, which has led the humanitarian response to the refugee crisis, has recorded 222 attacks on homes but only a five-per-cent conviction rate.The country, which has led the humanitarian response to the refugee crisis, has recorded 222 attacks on homes but only a five-per-cent conviction rate.
Arson attacks in particular are a "dangerous mass phenomenon", according to Zeit Online, which analysed government figures.Arson attacks in particular are a "dangerous mass phenomenon", according to Zeit Online, which analysed government figures.
The findings come after it emerged Germany registered more than 900,000 new asylum seekers in the first 11 months of the years, the BBC reported.The findings come after it emerged Germany registered more than 900,000 new asylum seekers in the first 11 months of the years, the BBC reported.
More than a million asylum seekers are on course to settle in the EU nation by the end of 2015, with the current figure at 964,574.More than a million asylum seekers are on course to settle in the EU nation by the end of 2015, with the current figure at 964,574.
A police officer talks to a counterprotestor at the sidelines of right-wing movement 'Baergida' (Berlin Patriots against the islamization of the Occident), a Berlin version of Pegida (Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the Occident), protest in Berlin
Participants of right-wing movement 'Baergida' (Berlin Patriots against the islamization of the Occident), a Berlin version of Pegida (Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the Occident), protest in Berlin
People protest against right-wing initiative Pegida with a sign reading 'Stop agitation against Islam' in Berlin
Participants of the 'Alliance against Racism' demonstrate against right-wing initiative Pegida (Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the Occident) in Berlin. Counterdemonstrations against racism and xenophobia have been planned in Dresden, Berlin, Cologne and Stuttgart. The demonstrations staged by the anti-Islamic Pegida movement produce a series of slogans arguing that Germany is taking in too many foreigners, that the social structures are about to collapse due to the rising number of asylum-seekers, and that there is the threat of an 'Islamisation of the Occident'
German Justice Minister Heiko Maas takes part in a protest against the march of a grass-roots anti-Muslim movement in Berlin. The rise of the group, Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West (Pegida), has shaken Germany's political establishment
The lighting of the Brqandenburg Gate was switched off to make a statement against racism as People protest against right-wing initiative Pegida in Berlin
A left wing activist struggles with the riot police during a protest against a planed march of the Pegida movement in their first Berlin demonstration, which they have dubbed 'Baergida'
People protest against right-wing initiative Pegida in Hamburg
People protest against right-wing initiative Pegida in Munich
People protest against right-wing initiative Pegida in Stuttgart
This number is less than one per cent of Germany's overall population.This number is less than one per cent of Germany's overall population.
David Cameron, meanwhile, has said the UK will live up to its "moral responsibility" by taking in 4,000 Syrian refugees a year for five years.David Cameron, meanwhile, has said the UK will live up to its "moral responsibility" by taking in 4,000 Syrian refugees a year for five years.
Attacks on refugee homes in Germany have risen sharply, with two arson attacks recorded in January rising to 20 in October, and 16 in November.Attacks on refugee homes in Germany have risen sharply, with two arson attacks recorded in January rising to 20 in October, and 16 in November.
Almost half the attacks were directed at homes where people were living inside, Zeit Online reported.Almost half the attacks were directed at homes where people were living inside, Zeit Online reported.
Because attackers were targeting homes at night - often throwing Molotov cocktails from moving cars or heavy stones at windows - police say they are difficult to catch.Because attackers were targeting homes at night - often throwing Molotov cocktails from moving cars or heavy stones at windows - police say they are difficult to catch.
But a lack of police officers, particularly in eastern parts of Germany, has also been blamed.But a lack of police officers, particularly in eastern parts of Germany, has also been blamed.
In the last year, right-wing anti-Islam group Pegida - "Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the Occident" - has held a number of demonstrations in Germany.In the last year, right-wing anti-Islam group Pegida - "Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the Occident" - has held a number of demonstrations in Germany.