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Police investigating the rape of a British-born Sikh woman in a racially aggravated attack in the West Midlands have made a fresh appeal for public help as they bailed an arrested man.
The woman, in her 20s, reported being attacked by two white men while she was on her way to work in Oldbury on the morning of Tuesday 9 September.
The perpetrators allegedly told her: “You don’t belong in this country, get out,” as they attacked her between 8am and 8.30am, according to the Sikh Federation (UK).
A man in his 30s, who was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of rape, has been released on bail pending further inquiries, West Midlands police said on Wednesday. Officers are continuing to appeal for information about the incident which police have described as “racially aggravated”.
The victim is being supported by officers, the force said, as they trawl hundreds of hours of CCTV and carried out “extensive” forensic inquiries. Detectives are urging anyone who saw two white men in the area to come forward. The first man is reported to have had a shaved head, a heavy build and was wearing gloves and a dark coloured sweatshirt, while the second was wearing a grey top with a silver zip.
Chief Superintendent Kim Madill, police commander at Sandwell, said: “We are working closely with key partners and we absolutely understand the concern of local people.
“We need the public’s help to bring us information on who has carried out this horrendous attack. I can reassure you that we are doing everything possible to bring those responsible to justice on this young woman’s behalf.”
A letter in the joint name of more than 450 UK Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations is being sent to Keir Starmer expressing disappointment at the lack of progress with the case.
The campaigners say there is an increased threat and, citing a number of recent high-profile racist attacks, call on Starmer “to encourage the new home secretary and new communities secretary to address anti-Sikh hate”.
Hundreds of people attended a vigil on Tuesday evening to support the woman. Salman Mirza, one of the organisers, told the Stourbridge News: “We feel there’s been a rise in racism and we want unity because we believe this is a good area. We’ve seen the hotel protests and there’s a lot of division at the moment and we want solidarity.
“People are outraged and frightened at what’s happened to this woman – we wanted to get together and get women to speak. There’s a connection between the far right and misogyny.”
The woman has released a statement thanking the community for its “love and support”. She said: “I would never wish this on anyone. All I was doing was going about my day on my way to work, and what has happened has deeply affected us.
“Through it all, my family has been my rock and my community has stood strong beside me.”
