Man, 29, arrested after seven women report sexual assaults at Huddersfield university

A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault after seven women reported being sexually assaulted in and around the University of Huddersfield's grounds on Tuesday evening, according to the BBC, the Mirror, Metro and the Independent. West Yorkshire Police said all seven incidents happened within half an hour, and the man remains in custody.

The university says it has increased security patrols around campus and is urging students, staff and visitors to use its SafeZone safety app. Police say a comprehensive investigation is continuing.

What happened on Tuesday evening

West Yorkshire Police said officers were called to the university on Tuesday evening by its security office. The call followed reports that a man had been approaching women around and near the campus and sexually touching them, Metro and the Independent reported.

Officers established that all of the incidents took place between 6pm and 6.30pm, according to the force. The BBC gave the same window as 18:00 to 18:30 GMT. Police said seven women were approached and sexually assaulted by one suspect in that period. The BBC reported that the force attended the university on Tuesday evening after the call from the security office, so officers were on the scene on the same evening the incidents were reported.

According to the force, all seven women got away from the man after he approached them and grabbed at them. A police spokesperson told the BBC the women had made off from the suspect, and Metro said all of the victims were able to get away.

Key facts at a glance

Who: a 29-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of sexual assault offences and still in police custody.
Victims: seven women, all of whom were able to get away from the man.
When: Tuesday evening, between 6pm and 6.30pm.
Where: in and around the grounds of the University of Huddersfield, according to the BBC; Metro and the Independent said around and near the campus.
Who raised the alarm: the university's security office, which called West Yorkshire Police.
Status: a comprehensive investigation is ongoing, according to the force.

The arrest and the police investigation

West Yorkshire Police confirmed that a 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault offences. The Mirror reported that he remains in custody for questioning. Metro reported that he was arrested in Huddersfield "yesterday", meaning the day before its report was published on Thursday, while the Independent said he was "later" arrested in Huddersfield. The BBC and the Mirror did not give the time or place of the arrest.

Detective Inspector Sarah Bradley, of the Kirklees District Safeguarding Unit, said the force fully recognised the distress and concern the incident had caused and confirmed that a comprehensive investigation into the offences was continuing. She said police were working closely with the university to reassure students and staff and were committed to supporting victims and safeguarding people who live, study and work in Huddersfield.

No charge had been announced at the time of the reports. The allegations come from the women's reports, and the man has been arrested on suspicion rather than convicted of any offence.

What the University of Huddersfield says it is doing

Professor Tim Thornton, the university's deputy vice-chancellor, said the institution was aware of the reported incident and had been working closely with West Yorkshire Police, who confirmed that an arrest had been made. He said the university recognised that incidents of this kind were "deeply concerning" and that it was providing wellbeing support to anyone affected, according to the Independent.

He said that, as a precaution, the university had increased security patrols around campus. It is also encouraging everyone in its community to use the SafeZone app, which gives direct access to emergency assistance, wellbeing support and the campus support and safety team.

Thornton said the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and visitors was the university's highest priority and that it remained committed to keeping the campus a safe and supportive place for everyone who studies, works or visits there.

How the reports differ

The four outlets agree on the core facts: seven women, one suspect, a 30-minute window on Tuesday evening and a 29-year-old man in custody. They differ mainly in wording and detail.

The BBC and Metro say the women "reported" or "said" they were assaulted. The Mirror uses the word "allegedly" in its headline and opening.
The BBC places the incidents "in and around" the grounds. Metro and the Independent say "around and near" the campus. The Mirror says the women were targeted in the grounds.
Only the BBC and the Independent quote the university, and only the Independent includes Thornton's remark that police had confirmed the arrest.
Only Metro gives a timing for the arrest, and only the Mirror says the man is being held for questioning.

What this means for students, staff and visitors

For people at the University of Huddersfield, the most immediate change is more visible security: the university has raised the number of patrols around campus. Students and staff are being asked to download and use the SafeZone app, which links directly to emergency help, wellbeing support and campus security.

Anyone affected by the incidents can get wellbeing support from the university, according to Thornton. The Independent also listed national help lines for people affected by rape and sexual abuse. Rape Crisis can be reached on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or through its website at rapecrisis.org.uk.

Police are also asking for information from the public. The Mirror reported that anyone with details should contact West Yorkshire Police and quote reference 1367 of 10/11/2026.

What happens next

Police say the investigation is continuing and that officers remain in close contact with the university. The man remains in custody, according to all four outlets that reported on the arrest. No court date, charge or further arrests had been reported.

Frequently asked questions

What happened at the University of Huddersfield?

Seven women reported being sexually assaulted in and around the university's grounds between 6pm and 6.30pm on Tuesday. West Yorkshire Police were called by the university's security office, and all seven women got away from the man.

Has anyone been arrested?

Yes. A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault offences and remains in police custody, according to the force.

What is the university doing about safety?

The university has increased security patrols around campus, is offering wellbeing support to those affected and is urging everyone to use its SafeZone app for emergency help and support.