London, 15 Sept

The UK police investigating a racially aggravated sexual assault of a Sikh woman have arrested a man on suspicion of rape.

Police said the man, in his 30s, was detained on Sunday and remains in custody as part of their enquiries into the “racially motivated rape” in Oldbury, West Midlands region of England, reported last Tuesday.

The West Midlands Police said the woman, in her 20s, is continuing to receive support as the investigations continue.

"This is a significant development in the investigation, and we want to thank the community for their continuing support,” said Chief Superintendent Kim Madill of Sandwell Police.

"The investigation remains on going and we would urge people not to speculate as we work to identify and trace all those who may have been involved," she said.

The police force also stressed the importance of allowing the judicial process to follow its course as legal proceedings are “now active” in the case, which sent shockwaves within the community.

“I am deeply shocked by the horrific attack on a young Sikh woman in Oldbury. This was an act of extreme violence but is also being treated as racially aggravated, with the perpetrators reportedly telling her that she ‘does not belong here’,” Preet Kaur Gill, British Sikh member of Parliament from the West Midlands region, posted on social media.

“She does belong here. Our Sikh community and every community have the right to feel safe, respected, and valued. Racism and misogyny have no place in Oldbury, or anywhere in Britain. My thoughts are with the survivor, her family, and the Sikh community,” she said.

The Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston said many of her constituents had been contacting her to express their fear.

“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. I will continue to press for stronger action against hate crimes and greater support for victims. Together, we must stand united against violence and hatred,” she said.

Her statement came after fellow British Sikh Labour MP for Smethwick, Gurinder Singh Josan, said the “truly horrific attack” had left the survivor traumatised and appealed for anyone with information to assist the police in investigating the "hate crime".

On Sunday, the local Sikh community organised a march at the site of the attack in a show of solidarity and also held prayers for the survivor and her family. Earlier, the police said two white male suspects are said to have targeted the survivor and made a “racist remark” during the attack.

Sikh Youth UK and Sikh Federation UK have been supporting the survivor and her family after the “brutal attack" and the local gurdwara, Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick, organised a public meeting last week to discuss vigilance and safety measures for members of the community.

“Acts of violence against any individual especially when motivated by identity are abhorrent and must be met with collective resolve,” the gurdwara said in a statement, appealing to the community to assist the police in its investigations.

“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to serving this community with compassion, solidarity and courage,” the statement added.

In a survivor impact statement posted on the Sikh Youth UK social media account, the woman expressed her gratitude for the community's support through the “difficult time”: "We are going through a lot, but the strength and kindness shown by the right people in the community has been incredible and I can't thank them enough for being my voice.

"I would never wish this on anyone. All I was doing was going about my day on my way to work, and what has happened has deeply affected us."