Dr Philip Harvey, Vice-President of Operations, wrote a university-wide alert on Tuesday to urge caution as ACT Police investigate the spike of crime.

Over the past few weeks, half a dozen "significant" cases of building break-ins, theft, people being held up and damage to cars have been reported at the Belconnen campus.

Just last month, a woman was dragged into the bushes at UC and indecently assaulted.

Meanwhile, over at the Australian National University, a woman was assaulted and thieves stole laptops worth an estimated $30,000 from a computer lab in the last month.

Dr Harvey said UC was "working with local police regarding these incidents and together we are taking the matter very seriously".

While investigations were ongoing, Dr Harvey believed the criminals involved were not part of the university community but were targeting people and property at UC.

While weapons had not been involved, Dr Harvey said there had been more than one incident where a member of the UC community had been approached and threatened unless they handed over money and valuables.

"All staff and students have a right to expect to be able to work and study in a safe environment. The university regards its corporate responsibility for the health and safety of individuals within the campus community as paramount," he said.

UC was investing in improvements to CCTV coverage and lighting and door locking systems around the campus including in car-parks.

Dr Harvey urged that over the coming days and weeks that students and staff be aware of personal safety issues and if anyone needed to move around the campus at night, 24-hour security services were available to escort people.

"Obviously it is difficult to remove all risks given it is a large campus which is open to the public, so we are urging anyone who is feeling worried to contact security."

UniSafe phonelines were also available around the campus and connected directly to security – as did car-park intercoms which could be used to contact security in an emergency.

"I urge you all to take sensible precautions when moving around the campus. Please keep an eye on bags, wallets, laptops and mobile devices. If you are studying or attending classes after dark, please walk with someone to your car, bike or bus stop or ask for a Security guard to accompany you," Dr Harvey said.

He also urged UC staff and students to contact security if they saw anyone acting suspiciously around campus.