News of another sexual assault in the Meadows last week has once again rocked the student community.

The woman was able to fight off the man, who then fled towards Buccleuch Street.

A spokesperson for Lothian and Borders Police said, “This was an extremely distressing ordeal for the victim who bravely fought off her attacker before he made his escape.

“We are appealing to anyone who was in the area of the Meadows last night, who witnessed the incident, or noticed anyone acting suspiciously there, to contact police immediately.”

This was the second sexual assault to take place within the space of a week, though police say that there is nothing to suggest that the two attacks are linked. They are however, “keeping an open mind.”

The police have increased surveillance in the Meadows to reassure the public, as it is a popular community area, and part of the daily route to the Central Area campus for many University of Edinburgh students.

Many people have been active on Facebook and Twitter, urging friends to stay safe, and walk home in groups after dark.

The student community have been quick to band together and propose collective safety measures for students walking through the Meadows. A group of students are seeking to pro-actively protect students walking through the Meadows, and have set up a walking bus scheme to ensure that students coming from the Central Area after dark would not be walking alone.

From Wednesday November 30, a walking bus will leave the Hugh Robson Building and the last ‘bus’ will leave at 03:30 every morning. There will always be one male and one female bus volunteer.

The bus will cross the Meadows at Jawbone Walk and continue across Bruntsfield Links.

The bus can be ‘called’ on 07925 580 813.

One of the organisers of the walking bus, third year politics student Hugh Murdoch said, “We’re a group of students taking a proactive response to concerns about safety on the meadows.

"We’re not saying this is in any way a solution to these problems and we’re calling for better lighting and well-targeted policing to help make the meadows feel safer.

"No-one should feel unsafe when walking home at night.

“This is a student-led project and we’re looking for any help that students can give – leafleting to raise awareness or being a bus volunteer. Please find us on Facebook to get involved: our page is Meadows Walking Bus and there’s a volunteers page too.”

Talking to The Student, Emma Meehan, EUSA Vice President for Societies and Activities, reassured students that Edinburgh was still “very safe”.

She said, “Edinburgh is a very safe city and attacks on students are rare. However it’s a good idea to be aware of your safety when you’re walking home from university.

“EUSA has started a new ‘Walk Safer’ scheme at the library where you can meet people to walk home with.

"There is a table located in the lobby of the library where you can sign up for a leaving time, then simply meet your fellow students who are going the same way at your chosen leaving time.

“University Security also have free personal alarms available from their office on Infirmary street, these will be available in the Potterow EUSA office and the Advice Place from next week.”

The alarms can also be obtained from university receptions at The Campus service centre at Easter Bush, the security control room at QMRI Little France and at the KB House Reception in King’s Buildings.