German police are increasing their numbers near a village destined to be demolished for opencast coal mining.

This could be a sign that they would soon move to evict climate activists who have occupied the site for months.

Energy giant RWE intends to bulldoze Lützerath in western Germany to mine the area.

Residents have long since left, but activists have occupied several buildings there for months, and their numbers have swelled in recent weeks.

Dozens of police vehicles were on the move near the village amid heavy rain early on Wednesday morning, according to dpa reporters at the scene.

The protesters in Lützerath had been told that they could expect the eviction to begin on Wednesday or in the days following after a regional court ruled on Monday that the eviction could go ahead.

The operation could be one of the most challenging in recent years, according to Aachen police chief Dirk Weinspach.

Local police are therefore receiving support from forces all over the country.

Once home to just under 100 people who have now been resettled, the land and houses of Lützerath now belong to RWE.

In 2013, they obtained a Constitutional Court ruling to access large coal deposits in the area. 

RWE announced on Wednesday that it would start to “dismantle” the village that day by putting up a fence more than 1,500 metres long as a security measure.

The company declined to say whether this would also mean the beginning of the police operation, however.

While many of the houses were already demolished, the remaining buildings have been occupied by several dozen activists who oppose the removal and burning of the coal.

On top of barricading houses, the activists have built some 25 tree houses in Lützerath.

According to police estimates from Tuesday, about 300 protesters were currently staying there, and more were arriving. 

(Dpa/NAN)