In a case that has sent shockwaves through the West Midlands, two people have been arrested in connection with two separate rape investigations, including a racially aggravated attack on a young British Sikh woman in Oldbury. The arrests, announced by West Midlands Police on Friday, October 17, 2025, come after weeks of community anxiety, high-profile appeals, and a determined law enforcement effort to bring those responsible to justice.
The first incident, which has drawn national attention, occurred on September 9, 2025, in an area of grassland on Tame Road, Oldbury, Sandwell. According to police statements cited by NationalWorld and the PA news agency, a Sikh woman in her 20s was subjected to what authorities have classified as a racially aggravated rape. The attack, which reportedly took place shortly before 8:30 a.m., involved two white male assailants. The victim was allegedly told, “you don’t belong in this country, get out,” a chilling statement that has been widely condemned and has fueled community outrage.
The following month, on the evening of October 16, 2025, a second attack was reported in Hurst Green Park, Halesowen, also in the West Midlands. In this case, a woman in her 30s contacted police around 7 p.m. to report that she had been sexually assaulted. Authorities have clarified that this incident is not being treated as racially aggravated, but it has nonetheless added to a sense of unease among local residents, particularly women and families.
West Midlands Police moved swiftly in the wake of the Halesowen incident. On Friday morning, officers arrested a 49-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman, both from Sandwell, on suspicion of rape. The pair were initially detained in connection with the Halesowen assault, but as the investigation progressed, they were also arrested in relation to the Oldbury case. “We were called at around 7 pm 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. The man and woman have this afternoon subsequently been arrested in connection with a rape on Tame Road, Oldbury, on Tuesday, 9 September. They remain in custody for questioning,” a police spokesperson said, as reported by NationalWorld and PA.
The developments follow a previous arrest in the Oldbury case. On September 14, 2025, police detained a man in his 30s in connection with the racially aggravated rape, but he was released on bail without charge a few days later, pending further inquiries. This earlier arrest, and the subsequent release, had left the community anxious for concrete progress.
The Oldbury attack, in particular, sparked significant public outcry and mobilized both local and national organizations. Vigils and protests were organized by members of the Sikh community and their allies, with many demanding swift justice and greater protection for minority women. Inderjit Kaur of the Sikh Federation UK voiced the community’s reaction to the recent arrests: “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 family of the Sikh victim, speaking through the Sikh Federation UK, described her ordeal as “horrific” and expressed gratitude for the support shown by community organizations. Their statement, issued to the PA news agency earlier this month, underscored the deep trauma caused by the attack and the importance of communal solidarity during such a difficult time.
In the wake of the Oldbury incident, a large-scale manhunt was launched. UK crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the racially aggravated rape. In addition, British Sikh organizations rallied together on social media, pledging a further £10,000 for any footage that could help secure a conviction. The combined total of £30,000 in rewards reflects the seriousness with which both the authorities and the community have treated the case.
The heightened attention also reached the halls of power. On October 9, 2025, the matter was raised in the UK Parliament, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood delivering a forceful condemnation. “The horror of a sexual assault motivated by race or ethnicity is absolutely appalling. I am sure that the whole House will join me in condemning such crimes in the strongest possible terms. This government will not stand for any incitement to racial hatred or violence,” Mahmood declared, as reported by PTI. Her remarks resonated with many across the political spectrum, reflecting a unified stance against hate-fueled violence.
For the residents of Oldbury and Halesowen, the twin investigations have brought both anxiety and hope. The police have maintained a visible presence, with a cordon still in place at Hurst Green Park as forensic teams continue their work. The authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that community cooperation is vital to achieving justice.
While the Halesowen assault is not being treated as racially motivated, its proximity in time and geography to the Oldbury attack has heightened concerns about women’s safety in public spaces. Local women and families have voiced their worries, citing the “widespread public anxiety” that has gripped the area since September. The rapid succession of these incidents has prompted calls for increased vigilance and preventive measures, both from law enforcement and community leaders.
The Sikh Federation UK and other advocacy groups have played a critical role in keeping the spotlight on the Oldbury case, organizing vigils and sustaining public pressure for accountability. Their efforts, alongside the rewards offered by Crimestoppers and Sikh organizations, demonstrate the power of collective action in the face of tragedy.
As the suspects remain in custody for questioning, the investigation continues. Police have not yet announced charges, and the community awaits further updates with a mixture of apprehension and cautious optimism. The hope is that this time, as Inderjit Kaur expressed, there will be “sufficient evidence to charge those responsible.”
These cases have shone a harsh light on the intersection of gender-based violence and racism in the UK, prompting renewed debate about how best to protect vulnerable communities. For now, the focus remains on supporting the victims, ensuring a thorough investigation, and reaffirming a collective commitment to justice and equality.
