Students in Leiden are getting vigilant and worried about walking around the city alone in the night after two assaults and a rape occurred in just a month. According to NOS, figures released by the police show that there is an increase in the number of sex offenses committed in the area.Â
The most recent of the offenses happened early Wednesday morning. A 24-year-old woman was grabbed at around 3 am in the center. The perpetrator fled the scene of the crime and is still not found. The other assault happened on November 11 and the rape occurred on November 6. According to Mayor Lenferink, these incidents are not caused by the same attacker.
With all of these incidents happening students in Leiden no longer feel safe enough to go out alone in the night. The mayor has said that there is extra surveillance installed in the city centre. There are more investigators being put on these cases so as to resolve them quickly.
Student associations have also called on the students to take care of each other and not go home alone in the night. The mayor has also told people to come forward if they have any more information or if they are in danger. However, student associations want more concrete policies and changes to come through.
Do you live in Leiden? What extra precautions have you taken? Let us know in the comments below.
Feature Image: Samantha Dixon/Supplied