A 32-year-old man has been arrested in the UK for the alleged "racially aggravated" rape of a 20-year-old woman of Indian origin. The West Midlands Police confirmed the arrest on Monday morning.
The incident occurred on Saturday night in the Park Hall area of Walsall. Police were called to the scene following reports of a distressed woman. According to police reports, the attack is being treated as racially motivated. The victim is receiving support from specially trained officers.
Following the assault, the West Midlands Police launched a manhunt and released CCTV footage of the suspect, described as a white male in his 30s with short hair and wearing dark clothing. The suspect was apprehended around 7 a.m. on Monday in the Perry Barr area of Walsall. He is currently in custody and being questioned.
Detective Superintendent Ronan Tyrer, who is overseeing the investigation, called the arrest a "significant development" and thanked the public for providing information. He had previously described the attack as "absolutely appalling".
The Sikh Federation UK reported that the victim is a Punjabi woman. They also stated that the attacker allegedly broke down the door of the house where she was living. The incident has sparked outrage and condemnation from community leaders and British lawmakers. Some have expressed concern about a potential "repeated pattern" of violent attacks on women in the region.
This incident follows another racially aggravated rape of a British Sikh woman in Oldbury last month. In that case, two people were arrested and released on bail.
