Series of sex attacks on students

A CCTV image of the suspect at the first attack

One man is thought to be responsible for a series of sexual assaults on female students in Loughborough, police have said.

In the first incident last October, he subjected a student to a serious sexual assault. Since then, he has twice grabbed women walking home at night.

Police described the attacks as "cowardly and nasty" and are advising women to walk in groups at night.

The man is described as white, in his 20s, around 6ft with short dark hair.

Loughborough University and the students' union urged students to remain calm but to be on their guard.

Click here to see a map of the assaults in Loughborough

In a joint statement with the union, the university's registrar, John Town, said there was an "intensive safety awareness campaign" in place and security guards were regularly patrolling the campus.

"Clearly our main priority is the safety of our students and staff and an e-mail has been sent to everyone at the university, advising people to be extra vigilant and providing information on how to stay safe."

In a series of attacks that began in October he has targeted women in their early 20s and one teenager.

ATTACKS ON STUDENTS 15 October 2006 Sex assault on 21-year-old student in Epinal Way 16 October Student, 23, followed and confronted in Curzon Street 30 November Woman, 20, assaulted near university in Coniston Crescent 21 December 19-year-old is pulled into bushes in Westfield Drive 3 February Sex assault on 21-year-old near Granville Street

They have taken place in the early hours and he is believed to have been drinking before a number of the attacks.

Det Insp Simon Hurst, of Leicestershire Police, said: "This man has carried out cowardly and nasty attacks which have left his victims extremely distressed and we need to stop him.

"We know that on at least on occasion, the first incident, he was heavily intoxicated, very drunk. He also smelt of alcohol on subsequent occasions in the attacks.

"He is not concerned about operating within areas where there are CCTV and he doesn't cover up or conceal his face from his victim, so he has no fear of being identified."

He appealed to any women who may have suffered similar attacks to contact the police.

He also asked anyone who was in the areas of the attacks when they took place to get in touch.

Specially trained staff would be available to help any victims.

Officers are advising women to carry an alarm and to never take shortcuts through dark alleys or across open ground.

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