Police launch manhunt after ‘racially aggravated rape’ in UK park | UK | News
A massive police manhunt is underway after a woman was raped in a suspected racially motivated attack. West Midlands Police were called to the Park Hall area of Walsall shortly after 7.15pm on Saturday to reports of a woman distressed in the street. Officers discovered the woman, aged in her 20s, had been raped and assaulted at a nearby property by a man she did not know.
Police confirmed the incident was being treated as “racially aggravated”. It was stated that the attacker, who requested urgent information, was white-skinned, in his 30s, with short hair and dark-coloured clothing. Detective Superintendent Ronan Tyrer 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 driving through the area and you have dashcam footage or CCTV that we haven’t been able to recover yet. Your information could be a vital breakthrough we need.”
Anyone with information or footage of the suspect is asked to call 999 immediately.
Police said the attack was “not linked to any other offending” after a Sikh woman was raped in a paddock on Tame Road in Oldbury last month in what was also considered a racially aggravated incident.
In a separate statement on Sunday, West Midlands Police said officers from its public protection unit, local police officers and coroners were working through the night as part of the ongoing investigation.
Superintendent 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.”
Members of the public with information about the incident can also contact the force on 101 or via live chat on the website, quoting log 4027 of 25 October.
