People living along Holland Street in Suva are calling for more police presence following the alleged rape and assault of a 23 year-old student in broad daylight yesterday.

It is alleged the woman was attacked by a man while walking along the road in front of the Laxmi Narayan Temple.

Temple caretaker, Pundit Jayendra Shastri says a group of young men and women believed to be homeless live in a tunnel, just opposite the temple.

Shastri says these people have also built shacks along Holland Street.

He says more police patrols are needed in the area as people are concerned about their safety.

Shastri says the temple has been broken into and stoned a few times while people’s houses have also been broken into.

Naibuka Nagalalevu who was doing some repair works at the temple says he was not aware at that time what had happened however he did see a man running away from across the road to the temple side and into a creek beside the temple.

Police are now looking for the suspect while the student is admitted at the CWM hospital.

Anyone with information is requested to call Crime Stoppers on 919 or 9905646.