Police have advised residents to walk together in groups after a third incident where items were stolen from people in Jesmond this month.

At 8:30pm on November 22nd, a 51-year-old woman was robbed of her purse on the platform of Jesmond Metro station.

The male offender pushed the woman to the ground and fled through the main entrance. The woman did not suffer any serious injuries. She described the attacker as white, close to 5’9”, and wearing a khaki duffel jacket and bobble hat.

Police are appealing for witnesses, and can be contacted at 101 with the reference number 1008 22/11/16 with any information.

This is the third such crime in Jesmond in the last few weeks.

A student was allegedly mugged on November 4th at Newcastle University’s Kings Walk while walking home in the early hours of the morning by a group of six young people ranging from 15 to 21-years-old.

Five of the group who are alleged to have participated in the mugging are on bail, while Callum Graylish, 21, has been charged with robbery.

Graylish, along two other males, has also been charged in connection with a second alleged student robbery in Jesmond at Windsor Terrace the same morning, November 4th.

Jonathan Bargh, a Northumbria Police spokesman, said: “When [students] are out and about, it is advised that they keep valuables such as mobile phones, tablets, and MP3 players secure and out of sight…plan routes and methods of getting home in advance and try to stay in groups of with friends where they can look out for friends and fellow student along the way.”

In recent years studies have shown that the way in which a person walks can deter a potential mugger or attacker.

According to an International Science Times interview with Kerri Johnson, a Professor of Communication Studies and Psychology at UCLA, the way a person walks has an impact on how vulnerable they look to someone with the intent of committing these types of crimes.

She said those who are least vulnerable, take long strides relative to their height, turn their pelvis with each step, move their whole body, swing rather than lift their feet, show a range of arm movement, have high energy, and walk quickly.

Northumbria Police say that while there is no evidence that suggests an increase in this type of crime, students and residents of Jesmond should still think about their own personal safety.

The police add they will support and help victims in any way possible and urge residents to report any suspicious behavior to the policing hotline straight away.