A STUDENT has called for better protection for people living off campus after he was attacked and robbed.

The 22-year-old, who attends Essex University, was set upon while he was walking in an alleyway between St Andrew’s Avenue and Forest Road, Colchester, on Tuesday at 6.30pm

Two men attacked the student with one of them punching him in the face repeatedly and they took his wallet.

After getting to his nearby home safely, the man managed to contact a friend who took him to A&E.

The student said: “One of them hit me five times in the face and shouted to give him all my money.

“I cannot describe how I felt - I guess I was shocked as I was just walking home and listening to my music when one of them came towards me and grabbed me.

“In this sudden shock and panic, I tried to cover my face and get down on the ground.

“I got the wallet out from my bag and threw it further away from me.

“Another guy was just standing behind him watching if anyone is coming.

“Then they ran away and left me there bleeding.

“I called the police and ambulance and got home safely.

“The person from the emergency line assessed me via phone and declared me fit to walk so I was told in this shock to take paracetamol from pain and if I want I can come to A&E.

“Luckily, they did not take my phone or laptop away so I could call my friend who took me to the emergency unit at 9pm by taxi.

“Fortunately, my teeth are OK, my nose is not broken, but the swelling of my lips and area around the nose is painful.”

Despite the attack and him reporting what had happened, police did not speak to the victim immediately and said they will be in touch soon.

The victim said: “These guys are still out there. They can do this again tonight, tomorrow, next week to anyone.”

“I know austerity measures hit police forces and the NHS tremendously, but is that right?”

He has called for Essex Police, the university, Colchester Council and Essex County Council to work together to improve the safety of people living in the area.

He said: “There is an urgent need for patrolling, more CCTV around certain areas - especially routes frequently used by students. I was lucky those men did not carry a knife or leave me there in the dark battered and knocked down.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.