Okwudiri Straightman Nwali

Cologne hits back: Merkel backs new powers to expel migrant criminals as anti-Islam protesters take to streets and police admit 'majority' of sex attackers were refugees

• Migrant rape fears spread across Europe: Women told not to go out at night alone after assaults carried out in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Austria and Switzerland amid warnings gangs are co-ordinating attacks

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has backed a toughening of expulsion rules for convicted refugees as protesters took to the streets against a the sexual attacks by gangs of migrants. Both women's groups and supporters of the xenophobic PEGIDA movement mobilised in separate rallies in Cologne with some supporters carrying signs with offensive anti-migrant slogans. Angela Merkel declared that refugees found to have committed a crime - even those who have not been given jail terms - should be required to leave Germany.