A succession of sex crimes has caused fear amongst the student community in recent days.

After the announcement by Cambridgeshire police that there has been a 25 per cent increase in reported rapes between March 2013 and March 2014 alone, a number of sexual assaults have occurred over the past weekend.  

On Friday night three sexual assaults took place in Mill Road, Jesus Green and near the Grand Arcade. Detectives could not confirm that there was one sexual predator behind all of them but are “keeping an open mind as to whether they are linked”.

A spokesman for the police said: “We are investigating three sexual offences in Cambridge on the evening of Friday October 17. We would urge people to take general safety precautions such as walking in groups late at night and keeping to well-lit areas."

More recently, an area of Christ’s Pieces was cordoned off by police investigating a possible group attack on a young man in his 20s. The attack is believed to have taken place between the early hours of 2 and 5am.

Police are searching for three men, described as being of Middle Eastern appearance with dark black hair.

The Female Welfare Officer at Homerton College, Bryn Porter, echoed the police advice to take caution as the nights draw in; “This is a reminder to stay safe while you're out at night, and especially to stay in groups, and around well-lit areas. If you are going out, please make sure that you're also looking out, both for your friends and for yourselves.”

Anyone with information pertaining to either of these incidents can contact police by calling 101, or anonymously calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

There are many support services available if you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article:

Linkline 01223 744444

Samaritans 08457 909090

Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre 01223 245888