A MASKED man attacking students has led to Essex University upping its safety measures.
Police officers have also increased their patrols following three frightening incidents on the Salary Brook Trail.
The most recent happened last Saturday at around 4.35pm when a 25-year-old Colchester man was approached after getting off the 64 bus. The suspect was brandishing what is believed to be a firearm.
University staff have issued two safety warnings to students also in light of earlier robberies.
On February 17, between 3.15am and 3.30am, a woman, 19, was approached by a man wearing a balaclava, armed with a firearm who demanded her purse.
A day later at around 4.15am, a woman in her 20s was also threatened by a man wearing a balaclava who had a firearm.
Daunting - Salary Brook
An Essex University spokesman said: “The safety and wellbeing of our students is very important to us, and we’re enhancing our support and guidance.
“We’re reminding students of our personal safety advice and providing more overnight safety bus services with the support of the Students’ Union to help those travelling from the university on their own.
“Our 24-hour security team at our Colchester campus is increasing its patrols and is also available to provide support and advice. “ “We’re pleased Essex Police are increasing patrols in this area to reassure the community.”
Joining the Walking Together email subscription list, claiming a free personal alarm, and avoiding poorly or unlit footpaths are some of the university’s tips to staying safe.
It claims incidents of this nature are rare, however, undergraduate law student Eleanor Murphy disagrees.
She explains warning emails are a regular occurrence and more should be done for students living off-campus.
Eleanor, 24, said: “There’s a safety bus to take students to and from university at night, however, I live near North Station and it doesn’t travel so far.
“I don’t feel comfortable so I try to get home while it’s still light, but on a Tuesday I finish at 7pm so I have no choice but to travel in the dark.
“The university should put more measures in place to help students who live further away and there’s a lot of us.”
Witnesses or anyone with information can contact detectives at Colchester CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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