'It's a shame it's taken so long' - Sikh Federation UK 'welcomes' arrests of two people connected to Oldbury and Halesowen rapes
The Sikh Federation UK have welcomed news that two arrests have been made in connection with the racially-aggravated rape of a woman in Oldbury last month.
They also raised frustrations that the arrests only came after another woman in her 30s was raped in Halesowen on Thursday, October 16.
A man and a woman, aged 49 and 65, from Sandwell, were arrested on Friday by West Midlands Police after they responded to a call from Hurst Green Park, Halesowen, at around 7pm on Thursday after a woman in her 30s was attacked.
The pair were arrested on Friday morning on suspicion of the Hurst Green rape, and following further investigations the pair were officially arrested in connection with the racially aggravated rape of a Sikh woman in a parkland on Tame Road, Oldbury, on September 9.
A statement from Inderjit Kaur on behalf of the Sikh Federation UK read: “We welcome the arrests in connection with the racially aggravated rape of a young Sikh woman in her 20s on Tuesday 9 September.
“It is a shame these arrests have taken so long and only came after another woman in her 30s was raped yesterday in Halesowen.
“Previously a man in his 30s was arrested by the police on 14 September and a couple of days later released on bail without charge pending further enquiries.
“We hope this time the police have sufficient evidence to charge those responsible for these disgusting attacks and rapes of two young women.
“We will continue to keep up the pressure until the perpetrators of these crimes are successfully prosecuted and behind bars.”
Following the incident which devastated the victim and her family, a large manhunt was launched, with two rewards of a combined £30,000 being offered for information leading to a successful conviction.
