Police investigating the alleged rape of a Sikh woman in the West Midlands say they are treating it as a hate crime.
Detectives are hunting for two white male suspects alleged to have racially abused the woman during the assault in broad daylight. Police say they believe one suspect had a shaved head and wore gloves.
West Midlands police launched a major investigation and manhunt after the incident in Oldbury was reported on Tuesday morning.
The woman who was attacked is in her 20s. Police and Sikh community groups said they were supporting her and her family.
There has been a rise in racial tension across the UK and heated debate over immigration and asylum.
Police said the incident took place just before 8.30am on Tuesday around Tame Road in Oldbury, close to Birmingham.
The attack has caused fear and anger among local Sikhs. One Sikh group criticised national politicians who have been vocal recently about asylum issues for their lack of “public condemnation” of the Oldbury attack.
A Sikh community group said it had spoken to the woman and her family and that the words the attackers said were: “You don’t belong in this country, get out.”
Sources with knowledge of the police investigation confirmed to the Guardian the attack was being treated as a hate crime. One confirmed it was because of words said during the attack.
West Midlands police said: “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.
“We were called just before 8.30am on Tuesday after the woman, in her 20s, reported being attacked in the area around Tame Road, Oldbury.
“We are keen to speak with anyone in the area who may have seen two men. The two men are described as being white. One had a shaved head, heavy build, and was reported to be wearing a dark-coloured sweatshirt and had gloves on.
“The second man was reportedly wearing a grey top with a silver zip. 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.”
Ch Supt Kim Madill, who leads local policing in the Sandwell area, 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.”
Dabinderjit Singh, of the Sikh Federation UK, said: “The attack took place in broad daylight on a busy road.
“Politicians from all political parties should have zero tolerance for all violent racist attacks.
“The current racist political environment is driven by populism and created by politicians playing the ‘anti-immigration card’ who are unashamedly exploiting those with rightwing and racist views.
“We await the public condemnation by politicians on all sides of this brutal racist and sexual attack where a young Sikh woman has been viciously beaten and raped.”
Another Sikh group, Sikh Youth UK, said it had alerted the wider community “to remain vigilant, ensure family members are safe and strengthen safeguarding measures in daily routines”.
Police said anyone with information could contact them via 101 quoting log 798 of 9 September.
