West Midlands Police are continuing their manhunt for a man wanted over the rape of a Sikh woman in what they describe as a racially aggravated attack in Walsall, as new details emerge.
The attack, which took place on Saturday 25 October, has shocked the local community and drawn national attention, marking the second racially aggravated rape of a Sikh woman in the West Midlands in two months.
Officers were called at 7.15pm to the Park Hall area after reports of a woman in distress. It was later established that she had been raped and assaulted at a nearby property by a man she did not know.
The victim, a Punjabi Sikh woman in her 20s, was allegedly subjected to racist abuse during the assault.
The Sikh Federation (UK) confirmed that the attacker used racist language, including the offensive ‘P’ and ‘B’ words, while carrying out what they described as a “vicious and hate-filled attack”.
“We can now confirm from local sources that the young woman subjected to a racially aggravated rape in Walsall is a Punjabi woman,” said Dabinderjit Singh OBE, Lead Executive for the Sikh Federation.
“He was heard using racist language during the assault. A neighbour also heard her screams during the vicious attack.
“West Midlands Police have now had two racially aggravated rapes of young Sikh women in their 20s in the last two months and urgently need to find those responsible.”
The previous case occurred in Birmingham in September, where another Sikh woman was attacked in a racially motivated assault. Police at the time described the attack as “deeply concerning” and said both incidents highlight a disturbing pattern of hate-driven sexual violence targeting Sikh women.
Det Supt Ronan Tyrer, leading the Walsall investigation, said:
“This was an absolutely appalling attack on a young woman, and we are doing everything possible to arrest the person responsible.
“We have teams of officers recovering evidence and building a profile of the attacker so that he can be brought into custody as soon as possible.
“While we are following multiple lines of enquiry, it’s vital that we hear from anyone who saw a man acting suspiciously in the area at the time.”
The suspect is described as white, in his 30s, with short hair and wearing dark clothing. CCTV footage of the man has been released by police, and residents are urged to check home security cameras or dashcam recordings from the area.
Local MP Preet Kaur Gill, representing Edgbaston, said she was “deeply shocked and saddened” by another racially aggravated rape in the region.
“The fact that this is the second attack of its kind on a Sikh woman in just two months is deeply alarming,” she said.
Police have confirmed that no arrests have yet been made, and that the attack is not currently being linked to other offences, though both cases are being monitored closely.
Anyone with information is urged to call 999 immediately or contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat or 101, quoting log 4027 of 25 October.
Information can also be submitted through a dedicated online portal.