More than 1,000 migrants went on the rampage in the city centre on New Year’s Eve, raping and sexually assaulting hundreds of women in a planned attack that shocked the world. 

Mrs Merkel, who has tried to strike a more bullish tone in light of the allegations, issued a statement today saying she understands the pressures that local regions in Bavaria are under. 

However, her spokesman Steffen Seibert added that the government is providing financial support to the areas most affected by mass migration. 

More than 1.1million migrants poured into Germany last year from the Middle East and north Africa, with the economic powerhouse the dream destination for most refugees arriving on Europe’s shores.

The influx has heightened social tensions with far-right groups including the anti-Islamic PEGIDA launching a series of protest marches against mass migration.