'Deeply shocked and saddened' Birmingham MP speaks out against recent 'racially aggravated' attacks in the Black Country
Birmingham's 'first female Sikh MP' has taken to social media to speak out against recent 'racially aggravated' sexual violence in the West Midlands.
Preet Kaur Gill MP, the Labour (Co-op) MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, posted on X saying she was “deeply shocked and saddened” to hear of another racially aggravated rape after police announced they had arrested a man following an attack on Saturday night (October 25).
West Midlands Police was called to the Park Hall area of Walsall just after 7.15pm on Saturday after a woman was reported to be distressed in the street.
The force said the woman, who is believed to be a Sikh student in her 20s, had been raped and assaulted at a nearby property by a man she did not know.
A 32-year-old man was arrested just before 7am today (Monday) in the Perry Barr area and will now be questioned, police said.
The attack comes after another Sikh woman was raped in grassland on Tame Road, Oldbury last month, in an incident also being treated as racially aggravated by police. A 49-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman who were arrested in connection with the incident were bailed by police on October 20.
After hearing of the latest attack, Preet Kaur Gill MP tweeted: "Deeply shocked and saddened that we are hearing of yet another racially aggravated rape this time in Walsall. West Midlands Police have reported a rape and assault of a young woman in her 20s in the Park Hall area, described as racially aggravated.
"This follows the horrifying reports of a racially aggravated rape of a Sikh girl in Oldbury, and a rape of a woman in Halesowen. The repeated pattern of violence against women in our region, compounded by hate and racial overtones, is deeply disturbing.
"My thoughts are with the victims and their families."
Detective Superintendent Ronan Tyrer, from West Midlands Police’s public protection unit, said: “This is a significant development in our investigation, and I’d like to thank everyone who has come forward with information following our appeal last night.
“Our investigation will progress today, and, as always our priority is the woman who was the subject of this attack. She has been updated this morning and will continue to receive full support from specially trained officers.”
West Midlands Police has been approached for further comment on racially aggravated attacks in the region.
The force is urging anyone with information related to the incident in Walsall to contact officers via 101, quoting log 4027 of October 25.
