A SOUTHAMPTON University lecturer who was assaulted in a “racist” street attack says he feels unsafe in the city.

Dr Peng Wang, a lecturer in Financial Management at the University of Southampton was jogging in Woolston on Tuesday when he was attacked by four men.

The men were said to be in a car on the opposite side of Vosper Road when they started shouting abuse.

The group then got out of the car, close to the junction with Victoria Road, and approached Dr Wang before punching and kicking him to the ground and running away.

Dr Wang was taken in an ambulance to University Hospital Southampton where they treated him for injuries to his shoulder and face.

Police were called at 4.15pm and now an investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.

Dr Wang, who is 37 and originally from China claimed the incident was racially motivated and police said their investigations are ongoing.

The lecturer said: “It’s really bad. I started living in Southampton in 2014, and I would say the threat is real.

“You’re just jogging and then some crazy people come and do this. They were shouting racist words. It’s terrible.

“I feel upset and I’m even thinking of going back to China because of this hostile environment.”

Dr Wang, who lives with his wife and two-year-old son, is now recovering well at home.

He added: “I don’t feel it’s safe. I take my son out on the weekend and now I only dare to take him to places where I can meet more people.”

A spokesperson for the University of Southampton branded the incident “appalling and unprovoked” and said the university is “extremely concerned” by the attack.

“Our colleague is receiving support from the University and we will continue to liaise closely with the police.

“We would urge all of our students and staff to come forward and report any racist incident they witness or personally experience.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 with reference number 44210068580.