The man arrested in Heerlen ahead of a campaign visit by anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders, was carrying two knives and an axe, the counter-terrorism unit NCTV has confirmed.

The NCTV made the statement after Wilders said on Twitter that the agency had told him about the weapons. The police have declined to comment further.

Sources told broadcaster NOS that the man who was arrested has mental health issues and was recognised by security officials before Wilders arrived for his walkabout.

Wilders was in Heerlen, in his home province of Limburg, as part of the provincial election campaign.