Oldbury vigil held after 'racially motivated' rape as safety petition is launched
Dozens of wellwishers attended a vigil in a show of support to the victim of a 'racially motivated' rape in Oldbury as hundreds sign petition calling for CCTV to be installed.
West Midlands Police launched an investigation after a British-born Sikh woman, aged in her 20s, reported that she had been attacked sexually assaulted, raped and brutally beaten on September 9 shortly before 8.30am. She told officers that during the incident, those responsible shouted the words “you don’t belong in this country, get out.”
A week on a unity vigil was held on Tuesday evening near the Jubilee playarea off Tame Road where the incident happened attended by banner waving groups after the incident prompted an outcry and calls for justice to be done.
Meanwhile a petition has been launched calling for better street lights and for street cameras to be installed in the vicinity in the wake of the attack. It has so far attracted more than 500 signatures.
Petition organiser Sia Kaur, aged 22, an office worker, said: "I live in that area. I was shocked when I heard about what happened to this lady. I use the bus stop near the park to get to work.
"We're of the same ethnicity and I thought, that could have been me."
"There are about three schools near where the incident happened and there is concern about lack of CCTV and street lighting in the vicinity. The police officers were knocking on doors asking for ring door bell footage.
"The petition is calling for Sandwell Council and law enforcement to prioritise the safety of our community."
The attack happened against a backdrop of anti-immigration protests and rising tensions around the use of hotels for asylum seekers across the UK.
Detectives are looking for two white men in connection with the attack. One of them is described as having a shaved head and a heavy build, and was wearing a dark sweatshirt with gloves on, and the second was reportedly wearing a grey top with a silver zip.
Anyone with information should phone police on 101 quoting log 798 of September 9.
To sign the Oldbury safety petition see change.org/p/install-cctv-and-lighting-for-safety-in-oldbury?
