London, September 14: British Sikh MP Preet Gill has strongly condemned the sexual assault of a Sikh woman in Oldbury, West Midlands, which police are investigating as a racially aggravated crime.
The attack, reported on Tuesday, involved two white male suspects who targeted a woman in her 20s on Tame Road, Oldbury, and allegedly told her she “does not belong here.” West Midlands Police confirmed the incident is being treated as rape and a hate crime.
“I am deeply shocked by the horrific attack on a young Sikh woman in Oldbury,” Gill, Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, said in a statement posted on social media. “This was an act of extreme violence but is also being treated as racially aggravated. She does belong here. Our Sikh community and every community has the right to feel safe, respected, and valued. Racism and misogyny have no place in Oldbury, or anywhere in Britain.”
Gill added that she has been contacted by constituents expressing fear after the attack. “I hear you. The rise in overt racism recently is deeply concerning, and I will be working with West Midlands Police to ensure everything is being done to catch those responsible and to keep our community safe. No one should have to live in fear because of who they are,” she said. “I will continue to press for stronger action against hate crimes and greater support for victims.”
Her remarks followed similar concerns raised by Labour’s Smethwick MP Gurinder Josan, who described the incident as “truly horrific” and said the victim was left traumatised. He urged anyone with information to come forward and assist police.
Police said forensic and CCTV inquiries are ongoing. Chief Superintendent Kim Madill of Sandwell Police stressed that every effort is being made to identify the perpetrators. “We’re investigating after a woman reported to us that she had been raped in Oldbury in what we are treating as a racially aggravated attack. The woman has told us that a racist remark was made to her during the attack. We are currently treating it as an isolated incident,” the statement noted.
Madill added that extra patrols have been deployed in the area. “We fully understand the anger and worry that this has caused, and I am speaking to people in the community today to reassure them that we are doing everything we can to identify and arrest those responsible. Incidents like this are incredibly rare, but people can expect to see extra patrols,” she said.
The suspects are described as two white men, one with a shaved head and heavy build, wearing a dark sweatshirt and gloves, and the other in a grey top with a silver zip. Police appealed for witnesses and anyone with information to contact them immediately.
Community organisations including Sikh Youth UK and Sikh Federation UK have voiced support for the victim and her family. In response, Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick convened a public meeting on Friday to discuss safety and vigilance measures for the Sikh community.
Read more: Sikh woman raped in racist attack in UK’s Oldbury
