Indian-origin woman raped in UK in 'racially aggravated attack', police release CCTV image of suspect

West Midlands Police said they are treating the incident as a 'racially aggravated attack'.

"We were called just after 7.15pm last night to concerns for the welfare of a woman in distress in the street," police said in a statement.

Police said officers established that she had been raped and assaulted at a nearby property by a man she did not know.

"She is now being supported by our officers following the attack, in the Park Hall area of Walsall," police said.

The attacker is described as white, in his 30s, with short hair, and was wearing dark clothing.

"This evening we are releasing CCTV footage of the suspect," police said.

Specialist officers from our Public Protection Unit, local policing officers, and forensic officers have been working overnight to recover CCTV, speak to witnesses, and identify the suspect.

Det Supt Ronan Tyrer, who is overseeing the investigation, said: “This was an absolutely appalling attack on a young woman, and we are doing absolutely everything we can to arrest the person responsible.

“We have teams of officers recovering evidence and building a profile of the attacker so that he can be brought into custody as soon as possible.

“While we are following multiple lines of enquiry right now, it’s vital that we get to hear from anyone who saw a man acting suspiciously in the area at the time.

“It may that you were driving through the area and have dashcam footage, or you have CCTV that we have not yet recovered. Your information could be the vital breakthrough that we need.

“At this stage we are not linking this attack to any other offences.”

Ch Supt Phil Dolby, of Walsall Police, said: “Our focus is on supporting the investigators in identifying and arresting the attacker.

Condemning the incident,  Zarah Sultana, the Member of Parliament (MP) from Coventry South, wrote on X: "On Saturday, a woman of Punjabi heritage was raped in a racist attack in Walsall.Last month, a Sikh woman was raped in a racist attack in Oldbury."

"These horrifying attacks show how racism and misogyny feed each other — fuelled by the rise of fascism and hate. As a woman of colour, I know how real and frightening this threat is. We must stand together — against racism, fascism and misogyny — and fight for a socialist society built on equality, justice and solidarity," she said.

Preet Kaur Gill, an MP from the ruling Labour Party, expressed her shock over the incident.

She wrote on X: "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," she said.