PARAMILITARY vigilantes took to the streets of the US city of Ferguson on Tuesday as protests against police violence began to wind down.

Right-wing libertarian militia the Oath Keepers patrolled the streets of the racially divided city for a second night in a row, even as police outnumbered peaceful protesters.

The group, which purports to protect the US constitution, was first seen in the small hours of Tuesday on West Florissant Avenue, the centre of protests on the anniversary of the police shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown.