The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) issued an advisory Monday warning of a number of indecent assault and batteries in the Harvard vicinity.

According to the advisory, several incidents have been reported to the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) on Museum St., Prescott St., Trowbridge St., Broadway and Harvard St. in the late afternoon and early evening.

An indecent assault is defined as the exposing of oneself or the touching of other people inappropriately.

The advisory described the perpetrator as a black male, 20 to 30 years old, 5'6 to 5'8", 140 to 150 pounds and wearing a baseball cap, blue jeans, a red and white windbreaker and a green backpack.

All of the victims have been females between the ages of 25 and 30, said HUPD spokesperson Peggy A. McNamara. She declined to comment on whether the victims were Harvard students.

McNamara said HUPD decides to put out advisories based on the proximity of the crimes to Harvard and the degree of danger to students.

"In these circumstances where we see an increase of these unfortunate incidents, we work with the Cambridge Police Department to create the advisories," she said.

CPD spokesperson Frank T. Pasquarello said that police are taking steps beyond the advisory to prevent future crimes.

"We've increased our patrol, both in uniform and plainclothes officers," he said.

McNamara cautioned students not to walk alone at night and recommended use of the University escort service if possible.

"If you feel uncomfortable with your surroundings, run to the nearest Harvard building. Walk strong and walk steady and you're less likely to be approached," she said.

These incidents come less than two weeks after a graduate student was robbed near the Divinity School, prompting an earlier HUPD advisory.

Distributing the Warning

In both cases, HUPD sent the advisory out via an e-mail distribution list. Because the Faculty of Arts and Sciences does not allow for mass e-mails, advisories are sent to about 100 people responsible for forwarding the information to their students. Recipients include senior tutors and the Freshman Dean's Office.

Currently, HUPD is trying to identify whether gaps exist in their notification system.