A British-born Sikh woman in her 20s was raped in broad daylight on a residential street in Oldbury, West Midlands, on Tuesday morning, and West Midlands Police are appealing for witnesses as they hunt two men in what is being treated as a racially motivated attack.
The assault occurred at about 8:30 a.m. in the Tame Road area. Officers said the victim was subjected to racial abuse during the attack and that they are investigating the incident as a hate crime. Police described the incident as an "isolated" occurrence but said they understand the "anger and worry" it has provoked and will be increasing patrols in the area to provide reassurance.
Detectives are seeking two white men who were reportedly in the area at the time. One is described as having a shaved head, a heavy build and wearing a dark sweatshirt and gloves. The second man was reportedly wearing a grey top with a silver zip. Investigators said CCTV, forensic and other lines of inquiry are under way as they work to identify those responsible.
"We are working really hard to identify those responsible, with CCTV, forensic and other inquiries well under way," Chief Superintendent Kim Madill, of Sandwell Police, said. "We fully understand the anger and worry that this has caused, and I am speaking to people in the community today to reassure them that we are doing everything we can to identify and arrest those responsible. Incidents like this are incredibly rare, but people can expect to see extra patrols in the area."
Dozens of people attended an emergency meeting at Guru Nanak Gurdwara in nearby Smethwick after news of the attack spread. Representatives of the Sikh Federation (UK) described the assault as a "brutal racist and sexual attack" and said the woman had been "viciously beaten and raped". The gurdwara issued a statement saying it was "deeply concerned by the recent targeted attack" and called for collective resolve against violence motivated by identity.
Faith and community leaders at the meeting said the incident came amid a climate of rising hostility and expressed concern for members of visibly identifiable communities. Organisers said they were strengthening reporting mechanisms for suspicious behaviour and were working with police to ensure reports are treated seriously. Sikh Youth UK has been reported to be supporting the victim and her family.
Local elected representatives also responded. Gurinder Singh Josan, the local Member of Parliament, said on social media that the incident was "truly horrific" and that he had been reassured by the borough commander that police were doing everything possible to find those responsible. He said the police were working "extremely sympathetically with the victim at her pace" and thanked members of the community who had already provided CCTV and other information.
Community leaders reported incidents of graffiti on religious buildings in the area in the wake of the attack. Reverend Nick Ross, from an Anglican church in Smethwick, said both the gurdwara and his church had been defaced and warned that tensions could rise if such attacks were ignored.
Dabinderjit Singh, lead executive for political engagement at the Sikh Federation (UK), linked the incident to what he described as a hostile political climate and urged politicians to condemn racist violence. "Politicians from all political parties should have zero tolerance for all violent racist attacks," he said.
West Midlands Police asked anyone with information to contact them via 101, quoting log 798 of September 9. The force said it is continuing enquiries and working with community leaders to provide support and reassurance while the investigation continues.