Right-wing extremist guns down four cops as they raided his home to search for weapons in Germany

A RIGHT-WING extremist shot and seriously injured four police officers as they prepared to search his home in Germany.

The suspected gunman, 49, is described as a 'Reichsbürger' - reich citizen.

'Reichsburgers' are predominantly right-wingers who do not recognise the Federal Republic of Germany and want the pre-war borders of the Third Reich to be recognised.

The man reportedly opened fire on police officers when they turned up at his home in Georgensgmünd, Bavaria, on Wednesday morning to search for weapons.

Officers were said to have returned fire and the man, wounding the man before he was taken into custody.

Joachim Herrmann, the Bavarian interior minister, will give more details about the injuries sustained by the officers and the police operation later in the day.

'Reichsbürger' members are linked through internet chat forums and right-wing associations.

It is understood the suspected gunman had a licence to keep arms but had become increasingly erratic in recent months and police feared he was a danger to the public.

Authorities have warned in recent months that neo-Nazis in the country are becoming increasingly militarised and prepared to use violence in their opposition to the country's asylum policy for refugees.