Police are appealing for witnesses after students were victims in three unconnected incidents in Lancaster during the course of the past fortnight. The first involved a robbery, the second a sexual assault, and the third involved racial abuse.
Earlier last week, a student was sexually assaulted between around 12.15am and 12.30am in the early hours of 13th March. The victim was approached by three men, one of whom may have been a teenager, outside Chupitos night club on Brock Street. The group told her they would take her to her boyfriend, and led her to a nearby car-park on Lucy Street. She was then assaulted when one of the men groped her chest, whilst another attempted to kiss her.
DS Ian Lawrence from Lancaster CID said: “thankfully she was able to run off before things potentially escalated.” The main offender is described as around 16 years old, approximately 6 feet tall with short dark brown hair and was wearing a navy-blue Adidas tracksuit with grey stripes.
On the same night, the victim of the racially aggravated harassment had been with friends in the early hours of 13th March on Swan Yard, when two men began to shout at her group of friends. Upon noticing the woman’s Korean heritage, the men made offensive racist remarks to her.
DS Ian Lawrence from Lancaster CID said: “Lancaster is a diverse city where these sorts of views and language are not welcome.” One of the offenders was white, around 5 feet 8 inches, of slim build with blonde hair and was wearing a white shirt, black trousers and a black tie. The second is described as white, of large build, approximately 5 feet 5 inches, with dark brown hair and was dressed in a grey suit with a white shirt and black shoes.
Police are also still calling for witnesses of a robbery at around 7p.m. on Sunday 4th March, on Westbourne Road. A female student who was walking alone had a cream purse stolen.
Anyone with any information about any of the incidents is asked to contact the police. Please call : 01524 596455 or if you do not get an answer, call 101, quoting incident reference 0039 of March 13th if you have information about the sexual assault; or 01524 596457 or 101, quoting incident reference 0076 of March 13th regarding the racial abuse; and 01524596455 or 101 quoting reference WB1802329 regarding the robbery. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555111 or online crimestoppers-uk.org.
Anyone affected by anything in this article can contact University or College welfare services.
