Police in the West Midlands have begun an urgent search for a white male suspect following the racially aggravated rape of a 20-year-old woman of Indian heritage in Walsall. The victim, believed to be of Punjabi background, was found in distress in the Park Hall area late on Saturday evening.

According to the West Midlands Police, officers responded to reports of a woman sitting in the middle of the street, visibly shaken after the attack. The force has released CCTV images of a man they believe to be responsible and urged members of the public to help identify him.

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

Police Description and Appeal for Information

The suspect is described as a white man in his 30s, with short hair and dressed in dark clothing at the time of the assault. Detectives say they are exploring a number of leads while continuing to gather forensic and video evidence from the area.

“We have teams of officers recovering evidence and building a profile of the attacker so that he can be brought into custody as soon as possible,” Tyrer explained.
“While we are following multiple lines of enquiry right now, it’s vital that we get to hear from anyone who saw a man acting suspiciously in the area at the time.”

He further appealed to residents and drivers for any visual material that could help identify the perpetrator, “It may be that you were driving through the area and have dashcam footage, or you have CCTV that we have not yet recovered. Your information could be the vital breakthrough that we need.”

Community Reaction and Political Condemnation

The case has sparked outrage across the region, especially within South Asian communities. Political leaders have also expressed alarm, calling for strong action against racist and gender-based violence.

Zarah Sultana, Member of Parliament for Coventry South, wrote on X that the incident reflected the dangerous intersection of racism and misogyny in Britain, “On Saturday, a woman of Punjabi heritage was raped in a racist attack in Walsall. Last month, a Sikh woman was raped in a racist attack in Oldbury. These horrifying attacks show how racism and misogyny feed each other fuelled by the rise of fascism and hate. As a woman of colour, I know how real and frightening this threat is. We must stand together against racism, fascism and misogyny and fight for a socialist society built on equality, justice and solidarity.”

Preet Kaur Gill, Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, called the incident “deeply shocking and saddening,” adding that such crimes create fear among minority communities.

Local Groups Demand Stronger Action

The Sikh Federation UK has identified the victim as a Punjabi woman, based on information from community sources. The organisation stated that the attacker reportedly forced his way into the woman’s home before assaulting her.

“The attacker apparently broke down the door of the house where she was living… West Midlands Police have now had two racially aggravated rapes of young women in their 20s in the last two months and urgently need to find those responsible,”
the group said in a statement.

This latest assault follows another racially motivated rape of a British Sikh woman in Oldbury last month. Police previously made arrests in that case, but the suspects were later released on bail as investigations continue.
Detective Superintendent Tyrer has clarified, however, that the two incidents are not currently being linked.

Reassurance From Police Leaders

Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby of Walsall Police acknowledged the community’s anxiety and said additional patrols would be deployed to increase safety.

“Walsall is a diverse area, and we know the fear and concern that this awful attack will cause in our communities,” he said.

“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, alongside local and forensic teams, continue to review CCTV footage and collect witness statements as part of their investigation.

Ongoing Investigation

The West Midlands Police have asked anyone who was in the Park Hall area on Saturday evening, particularly drivers with dashcam recordings to share any footage with investigators.

Authorities say they are determined to find the suspect quickly and ensure justice for the victim.