POLICE are investigating claims a Sikh woman was allegedly raped and told: “You don’t belong in this country.”
A British-born woman aged in her 20s accused two men of making a racist remark before alleging they attacked her in the West Midlands.
Police are investigating claims a Sikh woman was allegedly raped and told: ‘You don’t belong in this country’
A police cordon sat at the edge of an area of grassland near an overbridge close to the M5 motorway as police investigated
The alleged victim says it happened in the Tame Road area of Oldbury on Tuesday morning at some point between 8am to 8.30am.
Dabinderjit Singh, the lead executive for political engagement at the Sikh Federation (UK), claimed the attack took place in “broad daylight on a busy road”.
A police cordon had been visible at the edge of an area of grassland near an overbridge close to the M5 motorway.
It was only lifted as of Friday afternoon.
The Sikh Federation have been helping the woman who made the accusations as they claim she was told during the attack: “You don’t belong in this country, get out.”
Police are now looking to speak with two white men over the allegations and are appealing for their whereabouts.
The force said one is described as having a shaved head and a heavy build.
He was wearing a dark sweatshirt with gloves on at the time.
The second was reportedly wearing a grey top with a silver zip.
They believe it happened amid anti-immigration protests and rising tensions around the use of the hotels for asylum seekers across the UK.
Police say they are treating it as an “isolated incident” but understand the “anger and worry” it has caused the community.
Chief Superintendent Kim Madill, of Sandwell Police, said: “We are working really hard to identify those responsible, with CCTV, forensic and other inquiries 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.”
Gurinder Singh Josan, Labour MP for Smethwick, wrote on X: “This is a truly horrific attack and my thoughts are with the victim.
“I have now spoken with the borough commander, Chief Supt Kim Madill, and am reassured Sandwell Police are doing everything they possibly can to find the perpetrators.
“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.”
