Urgent appeal to identify suspect of racially aggravated rape in Wallsall | West Midlands

An urgent appeal has been launched to police to identify a man believed to have raped a woman in a racist attack.

West Midlands police were called to the Park Hall area of ​​Walsall just after 7.15pm on Saturday to reports of a woman distressed in the street.

Police officers discovered the woman, aged in her 20s, had been raped and assaulted at a nearby property by a man she did not know.

He confirmed the incident was being considered “racially aggravated”.

It is stated that the attacker was a white-skinned man in his 30s, with short hair and wearing dark clothing at the time.

Police have released CCTV footage of the suspect and asked anyone who knows his identity to call 999 immediately.

Det Supt Ronan Tyrer, of West Midlands police, said: “This was an absolutely horrifying attack on a young woman and we are doing everything we can to arrest the person responsible.

“We have police teams collecting evidence and profiling the attacker so that he can be detained as quickly as possible.

“Whilst we are currently pursuing multiple lines of inquiry it is vital we hear from anyone who saw a man acting suspiciously in the area at the time.

“Perhaps you were passing through the area and you have dashcam footage or CCTV that we have not yet recovered. Your information could be a vital breakthrough we need.

“At this stage we do not link this attack to any other crime.”

Last month, a Sikh woman was raped in a paddock off Tame Road, Oldbury, in an incident that was racially aggravated by police.

Preet Kaur Gill, Labor MP for Birmingham Edgbaston (Co-operative), posted on X: “We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear of yet another racially aggravated rape, this time in Walsall.

“West Midlands police reported a case of racially aggravated rape and assault on a young woman in her 20s in the Park Hall area.”

West Midlands police confirmed in a statement on Sunday evening that officers from the public protection unit, local police officers and coroners were working overnight on the investigation.

Divisional Officer Phil Dolby said: “Our focus is on supporting investigators in identifying and arresting the attacker.

“Walsall is a diverse area and we know the fear and anxiety this horrific attack will cause in our communities.

“We are talking to people in the community today to listen and understand their concerns, and there will be an increased police presence in the coming days.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact West Midlands police on 101 or online live chat quoting log 4027 of 25 October.