A woman has been raped in a notorious alleyway in Tipton, which police have been trying to get permission to close for a number of years.

It happened on land known locally as The Cracker, but local residents say despite numerous attempts to find out what had happened, they have been kept in the dark.

Rumours of the incident had been circulating since police cordoned off an alleyway leading from Oval Road and Sycamore Crescent to The Cracker.

But it was confirmed to them for the first time last night at the Tipton Forum meeting.

Oval Road resident Diana Ramsell, aged 58, says she is appalled that people were not told about the attack.

“All the kids cross over The Cracker at all hours to get to the buses, someone should have told us if it’s not safe,” she said.

PC Jason Jordan told the meeting that police had made arrests following the attack on February 16 and they were continuing their efforts to shut off the dangerous alleyway.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for safer communities Councillor Derek Rowley said: “I’d happily close it off tomorrow. The council would be happy to look at the situation again if people want us to.”