Cambridge students are "living in fear” after four
people have been stabbed in apparently motiveless attacks in the
city centre. Police believe the attacks – which were all
carried out by a lone man on a bicycle – are probably
linked, and are advising all Cambridge residents to “review
their safety”. The first attack was on Thursday 29 April when an eighteen-
year old woman was stabbed whilst walking home alone late at
night. Five days later, a Churchill College student was stabbed in
similar circumstances. The college told Cherwell that the victim
is “still obviously frightened, but she’s putting on a
brave face.” Two further attacks took place on Saturday 8
May. A 36 year-old man and a 25 year-old woman were stabbed in
separate incidents. The man had been walking through the centre
of Cambridge with his girlfriend, while the female victim was
walking alone. All four victims needed hospital treatment. Det. Sgt Alan Page, who is leading the investigation, has
urged Cambridge residents to avoid walking alone and to be
vigilant if travelling through the city late at night.
“There seems to be no motive for this man’s
attacks,” Page explained, “he has not said anything and
nothing has been taken.” Students are advised to
“arrange a lift or call a taxi if possible” when
travelling home in the evening. Churchill College has revised its own safety measures.
Students have been reminded that the college runs a free taxi
service for any student who finds themselves alone in the city
centre and unable to get home. “The problem is that not
everyone takes advanatge of it,” admitted one member of
staff. Students at Cambridge are “incredibly worried”
about the incidents: Varsity Editor Reggie Vettasseri said,
“People think that this is just a sleepy university town and
these attacks have caused great fear all the way through the
university community.” Oxford, too, has recently suffered a series of attacks as
reported by Cherwell last week. A fresh incident occured in Watlington on 8 May at 9 in the
evening, when a female cyclist was attacked and sexually
assaulted by a white man though to be about 35. Police have
warned women to be on their guard when walking or cycling in
secluding areas, and have have advised against going out alone at
night.ARCHIVE: 2nd week TT 2004
Tab stabber on the loose
