LONDON – Police in the UK have detained a guy in connection with the alleged rape of a Sikh woman. Authorities think the assault was “racially motivated.” The arrest came after an allegation on Tuesday, September 9, that a lady in her 20s was sexually assaulted on Tame Road in Oldbury, Sandwell, West Midlands.
Police say that the arrest of a guy in his 30s on Sunday is a “significant development in the investigation.” He is still in jail while the investigation goes on. Chief Superintendent Kim Madill of the Sandwell Police said, “We want to thank the community for their ongoing support,” and asked people “not to speculate as we work to identify and trace all those who may have been involved.” The West Midlands Police also said that the survivor is still getting help.
The police had already said that someone made a “racist remark” to the victim during the attack. According to the Sikh Federation (UK), the people who did it told the victim, “You don’t belong in this country, get out.”
The horrible crime shocked the Sikh community and people all around the UK. People from the community came together to pray for the victim at the crime scene during a march.
British-Sikh members of parliament have also spoken out against the attack. Preet Kaur Gill, a Member of Parliament from the West Midlands, called it “an act of extreme violence” and that it was being regarded as “racially aggravated.” After she was arrested, she wrote on X (previously Twitter), “I completely understand how scared and worried this has made people in the community.” No one should ever feel unsafe on our streets.
Gurinder Singh Josan, another British-Sikh MP, said that police are still looking for a second suspect and asked anyone with information to help. Josan also took the chance to talk about a bigger problem. “I understand how strongly the Sikh community feels about this case,” he wrote on X, “but I ask everyone to remember that violence against women and girls happens too often in our community.” We should be ready to speak out against all of these kinds of incidents.
There are currently legal proceedings going on, and officials have highlighted how important it is to let the court process run its course.