Berlin-German riot police have arrested at least 12 people and injured several others during scuffles with anti-fascist activists, who took to the streets to voice their support for refugees.

Hundreds of protesters rallied in the town of Göttingen on Sunday in response to a demonstration organized by right-wing activists. The anti-immigration rally was roughly attended by 40 people, who were chanting "Stop the crimes by foreigners."

Activists supporting refugees carried flags and banners reading in German, "We do not want Nazis in Göttingen.” One of the protesters told a German-language daily that the rally was totally peaceful until police started to attack people with pepper spray and batons, trying to disperse them.

The violence broke out when the protesters tried to break through riot police lines, triggering scuffles which left some of the activists injured.

Counter-rallies against right-wing demonstrations have become frequent in Germany, which is in the midst of one of the worst refugee crises since World War II. German officials have voiced concern about a surge in verbal violence and on-line hate crimes against refugees.