A woman who reported being raped in what West Midlands Police are treating as a "racially aggravated" attack has thanked the community for its support as officers hunt two men in connection with the incident.
The woman, in her 20s, told police she was attacked by two men just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday near Tame Road in Oldbury, West Midlands. Investigating officers say one of the men made a racist remark during the assault, reportedly telling her, "You don't belong in this country, get out."
In a statement released through the charity Sikh Youth UK, the victim thanked family, local Gurdwara committees, Sikh organisations and others who have supported her. "All I was doing was going about my day on my way to work, and what has happened has deeply affected us," she said. "Through it all, my family has been my rock and my community has stood strong beside me." She added that she hoped the perpetrators would be caught so "this doesn't happen to anyone else."
The Sikh Federation (UK), which has been in contact with the victim and her family, said it had been providing support. Dabinderjit Singh of the federation said the attack had heightened fears among people who "look different," and referred to a series of incidents in the region. He noted a separate August attack near Wolverhampton Railway Station in which two elderly Sikh taxi drivers were assaulted; that incident is also being treated by police as racially aggravated.
West Midlands Police said they had "a number of positive lines of enquiry" and urgently wanted to speak to anyone who may have seen two men in the area around the time of the assault. Officers described the first man as white, of heavy build with a shaved head, wearing a dark-coloured sweatshirt and gloves. The second man was described as white, wearing a grey top with a silver zip.
A community demonstration in support of the victim is planned to start at the Lions of the Great War memorial in Smethwick, a landmark remembering Sikh soldiers, before walking to Tame Road in Oldbury where the demonstration will take place. Organisers have said the event will include an address to the community.
Police urged anyone with information, or anyone who may have seen two men in the area on Tuesday morning, to contact investigators. The force is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the assault and whether there are links to other reported incidents.
Community leaders expressed concern about the social and political climate that they say has contributed to fears among ethnic minority groups. The Sikh Federation's Dabinderjit Singh said such attacks had left people "seriously worried," particularly young women, and called for vigilance and support for those affected.
West Midlands Police reiterated their appeal for witnesses as enquiries continue. No arrests have been reported publicly in connection with the case.