British Sikh woman sexually assaulted in racially motivated attack near Birmingham

A British-born Sikh woman in her 20s was sexually assaulted, raped, and beaten in what police are calling a racially motivated attack on Tuesday in Oldbury, near Birmingham, UK, by two white men.

West Midlands Police confirmed to TOI that they are investigating the rape, which the woman reported occurred between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m., and are treating it as a racially aggravated crime.

"The woman has told us that a racist remark was made to her during the attack," a police spokesperson said.

According to the Sikh Federation (UK), the attackers shouted, "You don't belong in this country, get out," during the assault.

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said officers were called just before 8:30 a.m. on September 9 after the woman reported being attacked near Tame Road.

The two attackers are described as white. One had a shaved head, a heavy build, and wore a dark-colored sweatshirt and gloves. The second wore a grey zipped top.

Gurinder Singh Josan MP, whose constituency office is close to the scene, said, "This is a truly horrific attack and my thoughts are with the victim. I am reassured Sandwell Police are doing everything they possibly can to find the perpetrators. The incident is being treated as a hate crime. The police are working extremely sympathetically with the victim at her pace who has been traumatised."

Sikh Youth UK has met with and is supporting the victim and her family.

Ch Supt Kim Madill of Sandwell Police added, "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. Incidents like this are incredibly rare, but people can expect to see extra patrols."

The assault comes after a recent unprovoked attack on two British Sikh taxi drivers, Satnam Singh (64) and Jasbir Sangha (72), on August 15 outside Wolverhampton station, during which Singh’s turban was ripped off. British Transport Police are treating that case as a racially aggravated assault, and a teenager and two men were arrested and released on bail.

[With TOI inputs]