Police are investigating reports of an intruder at a student accommodation block in York.

And one concerned father is now considering removing his daughter from the halls of residence until he can be assured she is safe.

Ken Weatherill, whose 17-year-old daughter Sophie lives on campus at Askham Bryan College, said there had been three incidents at the college in the last ten days when a prowler had gained access to the accommodation block and tried to get into bedrooms.

College heads insist they take security extremely seriously and say they are baffled by the recent reported incidents.

But Mr Weatherill said he had visited the college to test the security there and claimed he had been able easily to get into the building himself.

"The security at the college is an absolute joke, the girls are frightened to death," said Mr Weatherill, who lives in Knaresborough.

He said that a stabbing incident on Tuesday of last week first raised fears among students living on campus.

There had also been other incidents during the night.

Mr Weatherill said he was considering removing Sophie from the halls of residence until he was certain that she was safe there.

Askham Bryan College spokesman Graeme Murdoch said they had received one other report of an intruder from another student and that the police had been notified.

"We are at a loss to pin this down. Each time there has been a complaint the external doors have been locked," he said.

"We take security very, very seriously, and have recently upgraded the lock system.

"There is also a warden on site and a security company patrols the campus."

Mr Murdoch added that the college was awaiting the result of the police investigation.

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