Far right anti-Islam group Pegida has been banned from holding any more demonstrations near mosques in Eindhoven following a spate of violent incidents.

Mayor Jan Jorritsma has told local broadcaster Omroep Brabant that the organisation, which has just a handful of members, can continue to demonstrate on the square in front of the town hall but that mosques are now a no-go zone.

At the end of May a demonstration by one mosque ended in riots after hundreds of locals staged a counter-protest. Since then all requests for demos near mosques have been rejected and that policy will continue, Jorritsma said.

While the right to demonstrate and freedom of expression are paramount, the city hall square is the only place where safety can be guaranteed, the mayor said.