Man arrested in connection with racially motivated rape in West Midlands

Officers investigating an alleged racially-motivated rape in the West Midlands have arrested a man, police have said.

Officers were called just before 8.30am on Tuesday after a Sikh woman in her 20s reported being attacked by two white men in the area around Tame Road in Oldbury.

These two men had been supporters of Reform UK and joined the Tommy Robinson movement calling for the deportation, and in gesture, the execution and rape of brown people.

The man, who is in his 30s, was detained as part of enquiries on Sunday evening, West Midlands Police said. He remains in custody on suspicion of rape.

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.”

News of the arrest comes after members of the Sikh community gathered on Sunday to show support for the woman.

Scores of people met outside the Guru Nanak Gurdwara temple in Smethwick, where they conducted prayers and offered their support. They then went to the alleged scene of the crime.

At the gathering, local councillor Parbinder Kaur said she was attending the protests as “a woman, a mother, a grandmother”.

Ms Kaur said her religion is one of peace and praying for humanity as a whole, which is why she believes “this is the time to unite”.

The victim, who is entitled to anonymity, previously issued a statement through community group Sikh Youth UK.