Two people have been arrested in the West Midlands in connection with two separate rape allegations, one of which has been described by police as racially aggravated and has sent shockwaves through both the Sikh community and the wider public. The suspects—a 49-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman, both from Sandwell—were taken into custody on October 17, 2025, following a rapid sequence of events that began with a reported attack the previous evening.
According to West Midlands Police, officers were called at around 7pm on October 16 after a woman in her 30s reported being raped in Hurst Green Park, Halesowen. The force quickly established a cordon at the park while they began their inquiries. In a statement, police clarified, “This incident is not being treated as racially aggravated.” The pair from Sandwell were arrested on suspicion of rape early the next morning, as reported by BBC and other local outlets.
However, the story did not end there. Later that same day, police announced that the suspects had also been arrested in connection with a second, high-profile case: the racially aggravated rape of a Sikh woman in her 20s, which occurred on September 9, 2025, on Tame Road, Oldbury. This earlier attack had already galvanized the local Sikh community and prompted a wave of protests and vigils, as well as a significant police operation to track down those responsible.
Community anxiety had been running high since the Oldbury assault. According to Birmingham Live, the September 9 incident sparked widespread concern, especially among women and families in the area. Police responded by launching a massive investigation, bringing in murder detectives to comb for forensic evidence and collecting CCTV and doorbell footage from nearby homes. Patrols were increased to help reassure the “terrified families,” as described by the local press.
The Sikh Federation UK was among the first to react to news of the arrests. Inderjit Kaur, representing the organization, told PA News Agency, “We welcome the arrests today in connection with the racially aggravated rape of a young Sikh woman. Previously, a man in his 30s was arrested by the police on September 14 and a couple of days later released on bail without charge pending further enquiries. We hope this time the police have sufficient evidence to charge those responsible for these disgusting attacks and rapes of two young women.”
The victim’s family, speaking through the Sikh Federation UK, described her ordeal as “horrific” and expressed gratitude for the support shown by community organizations. They made it clear that their path to healing could only begin once those responsible were brought to justice, stating, “We will only be able to rebuild our lives after those who attacked her are caught.”
The Oldbury attack, which police described as racially aggravated, led to immediate and vocal public outcry. Vigils and protests were organized by women’s groups and anti-racist organizations. According to Birmingham Live, over 200 people attended a Unity vigil in Oldbury, which saw people from various backgrounds and faiths come together to condemn both racism and violence against women. Signs reading “stop sexual violence against women. No rape. No grooming” and “We stand in solidarity with our sister. United against Racism” were held aloft, as shown in images published by BBC.
Political leaders were also drawn into the conversation. Preet Gill, MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, raised concerns about a perceived rise in hate crimes, while Crimestoppers and the Sikh community jointly offered a substantial reward—£10,000 from the Sikh community and up to £20,000 from Crimestoppers—for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the Oldbury case. This £30,000 reward underscored the gravity with which the community and authorities viewed the attack.
West Midlands Police maintained a steady flow of information as the investigation progressed. In a statement, the force said, “We were called at around 7pm after a woman in her 30s reported she had been attacked in Hurst Green Park. This incident is not being treated as racially aggravated. A 49-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman from Sandwell were arrested this morning on suspicion of rape. A cordon is in place in the park while we carry out enquiries. The man and woman have this afternoon subsequently been arrested in connection with a rape on Tame Road, Oldbury on Tuesday, September 9. They remain in custody for questioning.”
In the days following the Oldbury assault, police issued a public appeal for information about two white men seen in the area around the time of the attack. According to Evening Standard, the victim was attacked shortly before 8:30am. The investigation has relied heavily on community cooperation, as well as technological tools like CCTV and doorbell cameras, to piece together the events of that morning.
Despite a previous arrest—a man in his 30s was detained on September 14 in connection with the Oldbury case but later released on bail without charge—the case had seemed to stall until the recent breakthrough. The Sikh Federation UK openly questioned the time it had taken to reach this point, but ultimately welcomed the latest developments and expressed hope that justice would be served.
Beyond the immediate investigations, these incidents have reignited broader discussions about the safety of women in public spaces and the persistent threat of hate crimes. Women’s groups, anti-racist organizations, and members of the Sikh community have all called for continued vigilance and solidarity. The Unity vigil in Oldbury was just one of several community responses aimed at both supporting the victims and demanding systemic change.
Police have continued to appeal for information from the public, particularly regarding the Oldbury attack. They have emphasized that anyone with knowledge about the two white men seen near Tame Road on September 9 should come forward, reiterating the importance of community involvement in bringing offenders to justice.
As of this writing, the two suspects remain in custody, with police questioning ongoing. The investigation is active and evolving, with authorities working to gather enough evidence to bring charges. For the victims, their families, and the communities affected, the hope is that these arrests mark a turning point—one that leads not only to accountability for those responsible but also to renewed efforts to prevent such attacks in the future.
With the community watching closely and support for the victims unwavering, the outcome of this investigation will be followed with keen interest across the West Midlands and beyond.
