A student at Sidney Sussex was hospitalised after an attack in the early hours of Saturday October 23rd

Returning home after a night out in the City Centre, the student was severely beaten by a group of 15 male and female participants, who were unprovoked.

The student sustained a significant head injury, which required treatment at Addenbrookes.  

The incident follows just weeks after Varsity highlighted the issue of student safety in an investigation into incidents of assault in Cambridge.

Warnings have been sent out to students making them aware of the event and advising them to be cautious.  

In an email to Sidney Sussex students, Head Porter, Sam White stressed that the likelihood of such an incident happening to an individual in Cambridge is very low. However, he also advised students to travel in groups, dress ‘down’ where possible and avoid unnecessary confrontation or poorly lit areas.

Sidney Sussex Deputy Head Porter, Colin Maxted, commented that he has seen an increase in violence recently and related this to the College’s location as situated between a number of night clubs.

He told Varsity, “Monday night is becoming the worst night out.”Admitting that incidents are usually linked to alcohol consumption, he added, “I don’t feel this is coming from the student population.”

Whether the incident is a symptom of the Cambridge ‘Town vs. Gown’ divide remains unclear.  

Phil Franklin, Sidney Sussex undergraduate, commented, “People forget that Cambridge isn’t just a University, it’s a city, and like every city in the U.K. violent attacks are increasing.”