Graduates march past onlookers in Melbourne, Australia, on Dec. 17, 2008. (Photo : Getty Images)
Australian police have increased their security presence at the University of Melbourne following a series of attacks toward Chinese students inside the campus.
Chinese nationals studying at the university, which ranked 33rd at the World University Rankings 2015-2016, have been repeatedly preyed upon by youth gangs at night, China's state-owned Xinhua News Agency reported on Monday.
It is believed that several of the attacks against the students have been perpetrated by suspected members of the Apex street gang, which was linked to Melbourne's inner-city riots earlier in March this year, the report said.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp met with Chinese consular officials after parents expressed concern about their children's safety.
Local law enforcement officials have also said they have been in close contact with staff and student representatives and that there would be more uniformed and undercover police patrols around the area.
The Chinese students are likely being attacked because they were seen as "wealthy and easy" victims with the latest gadgets in their possessions placing them on top list of targets, the police said.
In one incident, a female student had her phone snatched from her hands by an attacker while texting.
Investigators said no students were physically harmed, although a string of arrests had been made.
"While no physical injuries have been inflicted, the events have understandably been quite confronting for the victims involved," Victoria Police said in a statement.
"Police patrols will be increased in and around the university precinct over coming weeks to provide a highly visible presence and deter criminal activity."
Police and university staff have also made suggestions for students not walk alone in the campus at night.
In a study conducted in 2014, nearly 100,000 Chinese students are studying in Australia, making up a third of international students in the island nation.
