Two young women have been grabbed by a man in separate incidents near a university campus.

Students are being warned to take care after the women were assaulted by a stranger while out alone at night in Canterbury.

Watch: Students in Canterbury are being warned of campus 'no-go zone'

A 19-year-old University of Kent (UKC) student told KentOnline of the "petrifying" moment she was followed while out for a jog near her home.

She had been running near her student accommodation at Hales Place, at about 8pm on December 2, when she realised a man was tracking her.

"He kept pace with me, then got really close and grabbed my arm, but I managed to get him off me and run away," said the second-year student.

"He followed me for about five to seven minutes.

"When I noticed, I decided to do a little square around some of the roads to see if he was following me or just doing the same route. But he did it with me.

"Every time I slowed down, he slowed down as well. Every time I sped up, he'd speed up as well."

Panicked, the student phoned a friend but the man approached her just off Long Meadow Way.

"He said 'excuse me' and half stood in front of me to block my way," she said.

"As I tried to move he grabbed my arm. I said 'excuse me' and then screamed.

"He had a really tight grip so I grabbed his arm, twisted my hand out and pushed him and ran as fast as I could.

"I was just petrified. I was in hysterics.

"I went home to my family the next day because I felt really unsafe.

"I don't feel safe coming back to Canterbury yet. I don't think I've fully processed it yet."

The student describes the man as being white, in his 20s, about 5ft 10ins, and wearing a black hoodie and black trousers.

She had not yet reported the incident to police, but plans to do so.

Just five days prior to this, on November 28, another young woman was grabbed while walking alone nearby.

A man approached her on a footpath between Eliot College at the University of Kent and Lyndhurst Close, at about 11.15pm.

A police spokesman said: "The man reportedly grabbed the victim by the arm before she broke free from him and ran away."

No serious injuries were reported.

The university says it has ramped up security patrols in the area, while police and UKC security staff are investigating.

Following the assaults, the university's UN Women UK Kent Society has warned students to take care.

"During the last few weeks, we noticed a lot of warnings on social media about men following and grabbing girls around Eliot footpath," said the society in a post on Instagram.

"It is especially happening at night.

"Witnesses describe a white man in his 20s, wearing a hoodie with the hood up. It can also be several persons.

"Please, be careful."

Referring to the November 28 assault, a UKC spokesman said: "While incidents such as this are rare, we remind anyone who has been the victim of a crime or attempted crime on campus to report it immediately to Campus Security or Kent Police.

"Crimes or incidents can also be reported to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or through Inform Kent, the University’s confidential online reporting tool which also enables students to access specialist support.

"We regularly remind students, staff and visitors to the campus of our safety advice, which includes using our night-time walking taxi service.

"We also recommend using the free SafeZone app, which gives users quick access to emergency services, first aid and University security."

Anyone with information about the November 28 incident should contact the police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/215312/20.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by using the anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org

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