DOZENS of people have attended an emergency meeting after a woman was allegedly raped in a “racially motivated attack” – sparking fear in the community.
A British-born Sikh, in her 20s, said a racist remark was made to her during the horrific attack on Tuesday morning.
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The horror incident occurred in the Tame Road area of Oldbury in the West Midlands, officers are treating it as a racially motivated attack.
It caused outrage and fear among the British Sikh community after it was alleged that the attackers directed racist abuse at the victim during the vile assault.
The Sikh Federation has stepped in to help the woman in the wake of the horror.
The organisation held an emergency meeting at Guru Nanak Gurdwara temple in Smethwick, Birmingham.
Faith leaders and members of the community attended where they voiced shock and fear at the attack.
There was wide spread horror at the sexual assault and concerns around safety were raised by many attendees.
Sky News reported that Jas Singh, principal advisor to the Sikh Federation UK said: “I think if you look at it in the context of the climate, it makes it even more worrying because there is a trend of hatred, the targeting of migrants.
“Ultimately, what that means is the targeting of people’s skin colour, and as Sikhs we have the most distinct, unique identity.
“We bear the brunt of all prejudice and ignorance, and hate.”
It comes after racist graffiti was left on the wall of the temple where the emergency meeting was held.
A reverend, who went to the meeting, said his church had also been vandalised.
Cops are still trying to track down the attackers and are desperately appealing for anyone who may have seen two white men in the area at the time to come forward.
One of the two men is described as having a shaved head an being of heavy build.
He was said to be wearing a dark sweatshirt and gloves.
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The second alleged attacker was wearing a grey top with a silver zip, cops said.
The vile attack happened amid anti-immigration protests around the use of migrant hotels for asylum seekers across the UK.
Cops said they believe the horrifying assault to be an isolated incident but understand the “anger and worry” it has caused the community.
Anyone with information on the assault is being urged to contact Sandwell Police as a matter of urgency.
Chief Superintendent Kim Madill, of Sandwell Police, said: “We are working really hard to identify those responsible, with CCTV, forensic and other inquiries well under way.
“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 in the area.”
Gurinder Singh Josan, Labour MP for Smethwick, wrote on X: “This is a truly horrific attack and my thoughts are with the victim.
“I have now spoken with the borough commander, Chief Supt Kim Madill, and am reassured Sandwell Police are doing everything they possibly can to find the perpetrators.
“The incidence is being treated as a hate crime.
“The police are working extremely sympathetically with the victim at her pace who has been traumatised by the attack.
“We are grateful for all the CCTV and information that has already been forthcoming from the community.”
