Police appeal after woman raped in 'racially aggravated attack'

Police have said they are investigating a "racially aggravated" rape in the West Midlands.

Officers were called just before 8.30am on Tuesday after a Sikh woman in her 20s reported being attacked by two white men in the area around Tame Road in Oldbury. The Sikh Federation (UK) said the perpetrators allegedly told the woman during the attack: "You don't belong in this country, get out." One of the men is described as having a shaved head, of heavy build, and was reported to be wearing a dark coloured sweatshirt and gloves.

The second man was reportedly wearing a grey top with a silver zip. West Midland Police said it is being treated as a "racially aggravated attack" and has appealed for anyone in the area who may have seen the men to contact the force.

Chief Superintendent Kim Madill said: "We are working really hard to identify those responsible, with CCTV, forensic and other enquiries well under way. "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." Dabinderjit Singh, the lead executive for political engagement at the Sikh Federation (UK), said: "The current racist political environment is driven by popularism and created by politicians playing the anti-immigration card who are unashamedly exploiting those with right-wing and racist views. "More than 48 hours later we await the public condemnation by politicians on all sides of this brutal racist and sexual attack where a young Sikh woman has been viciously beaten and raped." Gurinder Singh Josan, Labour MP for Smethwick, wrote on X: "This is a truly horrific attack and my thoughts are with the victim." He added: "The incidence is being treated as a hate crime.

"The police are working extremely sympathetically with the victim at her pace who has been traumatised by the attack. "We are grateful for all the CCTV and information that has already been forthcoming from the community.".