Arrest after Essex Uni sex assault

Police have arrested a man in connection with a serious sexual assault at the University of Essex.

It's in relation to the attack on Thursday 9th and comes after a second woman was sexually assaulted by a group of men early on Saturday.

The 25 year old from Colchester was assaulted at about 3am on the morning of Saturday, October 9, in The Bakery. 

Officers say the premises was open and very busy and so they're hoping to speak to anyone who saw what happened to come forward.

The woman was wearing a blue dress and had long brown hair. The men are white and mixed race in their late teens to early 20s.

A teenager said she'd been sexually assaulted 2 days earlier after leaving a nightclub on campus.

The University and Students' Union has issued the following statement to Heart:

“The University and Students’ Union take the welfare and safety of students very seriously and work hard to keep our campuses safe. Incidents of this nature are extremely rare.

Following the report of these recent incidents, which appear to be unrelated, we have reinforced our guidance to students about the importance of personal safety and taken steps to try to provide additional reassurance. University patrol staff, who are on campus 24 hours a day, are paying particular attention to the central campus and the pathways to the University residences when venues are closing in the early hours. Grounds staff have cleared undergrowth alongside the pathways, and the Students’ Union arranged extra security within and outside its venues at the weekend.

We are working closely with the police to assist their investigation, and a police community support officer works on the Colchester campus. Both the University and Students’ Union provide a number of support services for those who require further advice and guidance.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at Colchester CID on 0300 333 4444.