“We hope the other man will also be arrested"
Police have arrested a man following the racially-motivated sexual attack and rape of a Sikh woman in her 20s in Oldbury.
The man, in his 30s, was detained on September 14 as part of enquiries into the assault in the Tame Road area. He remains in custody on suspicion of rape.
The victim continues to receive support as the investigation continues.
Chief Superintendent Kim Madill, of Sandwell Police, said:
“This is a significant development in the investigation and we want to thank the community for their continuing support.
“The investigation remains ongoing and we would urge people not to speculate as we work to identify and trace all those who may have been involved.”
Police reminded the public that legal proceedings are now active and stressed the importance of allowing the judicial process to take its course.
The victim was attacked on September 9 between 8:00 and 8:30 am by two men and during the assault, the attackers shouted:
“You don’t belong in this country, get out.”
On September 14, there were prayers and a peaceful protest to show solidarity for the young Sikh woman.
The protest march began outside Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick before heading to the scene of the attack.
At the protest, local MP for Smethwick, Gurinder Josan, faced public criticism. Anger erupted over claims he was “paying lip-service” and failing to raise Sikh concerns in Parliament.
Josan later defended Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s failure to condemn the attack, telling Sky News, “there is very little she can do” and “rape is a very difficult case to get a conviction.”
Protesters voiced frustration, with Sikh Federation (UK) Lead Executive Kuldeep Singh Deol describing the perpetrators as “animals” for committing the heinous crime.
Dabinderjit Singh OBE, the Lead Executive for Political Engagement at the Sikh Federation (UK), said:
“We thank West Midlands Police for finding and arresting one of the perpetrators for the brutal racist sexual attack and rape of the young Sikh woman in Oldbury.
“We hope the other man will also be arrested, charged and prosecutions will quickly follow for this vile crime.
“We have seen the local MPs terrible and very insensitive comments to the media on convictions for rape and inappropriate defence of the Home Secretary for staying silent and not condemning the brutal racist attack and rape.
“He is simply an apologist and always making excuses to the local Sikh community for inaction by the Labour government.
“He has totally lost the plot, is out of touch and should immediately apologise to the victim as he is a pathological apologist. He is the perfect example why politicians have a bad name.
“The Sikh community is increasing political pressure and has put into effect a five-point action plan focused on the Prime Minister and his new Home Secretary.
“They must address Anti-Sikh hate following the recent vicious racist attacks in the West Midlands on the most vulnerable in our community.”
As part of this plan, the UK Gurdwara Alliance sent a letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, giving her one week to properly address Anti-Sikh hate. The letter was copied to Communities Secretary Steve Reed.
Later today, over 450 UK Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations are expected to write to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, reminding him of his personal promise to tackle Anti-Sikh hate on the same footing as antisemitism and Islamophobia.
The letter to Mahmood reads: “Community feelings are running very high and Sikhs across the country, joined by others may be forced to peacefully protest outside Downing Street after Donald Trump’s official visit.
“Despite wall-to-wall media coverage, we note with deep disappointment you have made no public comment as Home Secretary unequivocally condemning the brutal racist attack and rape of the young Sikh woman last Tuesday.
“We need you to show public solidarity with the victim and the Sikh community.
“You represent the neighbouring constituency and as a Muslim woman, will understand the abhorrent nature of this crime better than most.
“Silence from you and the Home Office following the racist sexual attack last Tuesday is unacceptable.”
“We hope when you answer Parliamentary Questions tomorrow for the first time as Home Secretary, you will use the opportunity to publicly condemn the racist sexual attack in Oldbury.”
The remaining action points are aimed at pressing MPs and opposition parties as they head into the Conference Recess.
Sikh activists have also launched a GoFundMe page to help fight Anti-Sikh hate after public calls for ways to support.
Police continue to appeal for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them immediately.
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