20-year-old Indian-origin woman raped in UK in a "racially aggravated attack"

A 20-year-old woman of Indian origin was allegedly assaulted and raped in the West Midlands, UK, in what the officials believe was a "racially aggravated" attack, driven because of her ethnicity. A manhunt has been launched by the police for a white man. 

On Saturday evening, officers rushed to the Park Hall area after a distressed woman was found on the street. According to the initial investigation, the woman had been assaulted and raped inside a nearby property by a white male whom she did not know. 

A CCTV footage of the suspect, described as a white male in his 30s, with short hair, wearing dark clothing during the attack, has been released by the police. 

Detective Superintendent Ronan Tyler, who is leading the investigation of the case, said, "This was an absolutely appalling attack on a young woman, and we are doing absolutely everything we can to arrest the person responsible." 

Adding, "While we are following multiple lines of enquiry right now, we must get to hear from anyone who saw a man acting suspiciously in the area at that time." 

Officer Tyler has also urged people with dashcam or any CCTV footage to contact the police immediately. 

Officials are treating it as a racially aggravated attack; however, it has been cleared that it is not linked to any other ongoing investigation. 

The victim is said to be of Punjabi heritage of Indian origin. Local community groups are concerned about the rising hate-motivated sexual attacks in the region. Last month only, a British Sikh woman in the Oldbury area was similarly attacked in a racially aggravated rape. The suspects were arrested and later released on bail. 

Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby stated, "Walsall is a diverse area, and we know the fear and concern this awful attack will cause in our communities. We have been speaking to people in the community today to listen to and understand their concerns, and there will be an increased policing presence in the coming days." 

Specialist officers from the public protection unit and forensic teams have been deployed to continue evidence recovery and trace witnesses.