The number of robberies and criminal sexual assaults in the University district increased significantly in the past year, according to a report released this week by the Division of Public Safety.

The report indicates that 49 robberies occurred between Sept. 1, 2003 and Aug. 31, 2004 – an increase from the 37 robberies reported the previous year.

Criminal sexual assaults also increased from 21 reported incidents from the previous year to 29 this year.

Kris Fitzpatrick, University Police Department assistant chief, said the numbers typically fluctuate from year to year.

“We did have some individuals that were focusing on the campus area to commit their crimes,” Fitzpatrick said, explaining the increase of reported incidents on campus this year.

The number of aggravated assaults and batteries declined from the 2002-2003 period. Fitzpatrick said these crimes are often connected to alcohol use by one or both parties involved in the crime. She offered advice to students on how to prevent and protect themselves from these crimes.

“Because there’s so much alcohol involved, please drink responsibly,” Fitzpatrick said. “When you do overindulge in alcohol, you’re more likely to become a victim or do something you wouldn’t ordinarily do.”

Fitzpatrick said alcohol seldom plays a part in being a victim in robberies, but students can protect themselves from being victimized by practicing safe habits such as riding the MTD buses late at night and not walking alone.

Fitzpatrick said an area of particular concern is the northwest quadrant – the area between University Avenue on the north side of campus to Gregory Drive on the south and from Wright Street on the east side to the railroad tracks.

The University crime report included incidents from the area that extends from University Avenue on the north to Windsor Road on the south, and Race Street on the east to the railroad tracks just east of Neil Street in the west. Fitzpatrick said that not all of the incidents in the report occur on University property. The report included crimes handled by both the Champaign and Urbana police as well as University police.