An artist's impression of the man police want to question
Detectives investigating a spate of attacks on female students have released an artist's impression of a man they want to question.
Police believe five separate incidents, which took place between 14 and 16 January near the University of Southampton in Glen Eyre Road, Bassett, area all linked.
The women, including a 19-year-old and a 27-year-old, were grabbed by the attacker but managed to run to safety or escape when their screams caused the man to run away.
In the last incident the attacker dropped a knife at the scene as the student struggled to get away.
Very shaken
Speaking about the artist's impression, Detective Inspector Nigel Oliver, of Hampshire Police, said: "This was prepared by an artist from an account given by one witness but we are hoping that it may trigger some recognition in somebody."
"She believes this is a good likeness, and we urge anybody who thinks they do recognise him or has seen a man who looks like this in the area to call us so that we can find him and prevent this from happening again, " he added.
None of the victims were seriously injured, but all were left very shaken.
The man is described as white, 35 to 50 years old, medium to well-built, with black hair and a round face with protruding eyes.
He wore a blue coat, probably quilted-style, police said.
During one incident he was wearing a black or grey "beannie" hat - a fabric hat pulled down over the ears.
Safety advice has now been issued to all female students and police patrols around the campus have been stepped up..
Officers were continuing to patrol the campus on Tuesday.