In a shocking incident, a Sikh woman was raped by two men in broad daylight in a park in Oldbury, United Kingdom. She was reportedly told to “go back to your country” during the assault. The woman is said to be in her 20s, and the attack took place shortly before 8.30am on Tuesday in an area off Tame Road. West Midlands Police were called after the incident came to light. They stated that they are treating the assault as a racially aggravated hate crime and have launched a manhunt for the suspects.
The police are working to identify those responsible, with CCTV, forensic and other inquiries well under way. The first suspect has been described as white with a shaved head and a heavy build. He was reportedly wearing a dark-coloured sweatshirt and gloves. The second suspect was also white and was wearing a grey top with a silver zip.
The incident has triggered outrage among local Sikh community and the attack is being viewed as a targeted assault. A local senior officer said the anger was “fully understandable” and assured they would increase patrols in the area. Chief Superintendent Kim Madill stated that she understands the community’s anger and assured that they are doing their best to arrest those responsible for the crime.
“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,” said Madill as reported by BBC.
Meanwhile, the Sikh Federation (UK) stated that attackers reportedly told the woman during the assault: “You don’t belong in this country, get out.” The lead executive for political engagement at the Sikh Federation (UK), Dabinderjit Singh that the organisation is supporting the victim and her family. He emphasised that there should be zero tolerance against such racist attacks and urged the political parties to take stand against it.
British MP Preet Kaur Gill also condemned the incident and highlighted that the rise in “overt racism” is deeply concerning. “This was an act of extreme violence but is also being treated as racially aggravated, with the perpetrators reportedly telling her that she “does not belong here.” She does belong here. Our Sikh community and every community has the right to feel safe, respected, and valued. Racism and misogyny have no place in Oldbury, or anywhere in Britain,” she said.
