Race-hate rape spreads fear in Sikh community

POLICE are hunting two men who raped a young Sikh woman in broad daylight in an Oldbury park in what is being treated as a “racially aggravated” attack.

- JANE HAYNES News Reporter

The British-born woman, in her 20s, was told to “go back to your own country” by her attackers. The incident has triggered anger and fear in the local Sikh community, which fears it was a targeted assault.

Police are hunting for two white men. One is said to be shaven-headed, heavy-built and wearing a dark-coloured sweatshirt and gloves. The second man was reportedly wearing a grey top with a silver zip.

The incident was just before 8.30am on Tuesday in an area off Tame Road, Oldbury.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “We are keen to speak with anyone in the area who may have seen two men. The woman has told us that a racist remark was made to her during the attack.”

Chief Superintendent Kim Madill, of Sandwell Police, said: “We are working really hard to identify those responsible, with CCTV, forensic and other enquiries well under way.”

Police said the “isolated” incident was being treated as racially aggravated.

A meeting was organised at Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick last night amid fear in the local community that the attack might be “the tip of the iceberg”.