Nearly a year after a woman in her 20s was dragged into undergrowth and raped in Oldbury, with her attackers using racist language, no one has been charged. West Midlands Police have now issued a fresh appeal, hoping that someone with information will finally come forward.
Attack and Immediate Response
On Tuesday, September 9th, just after 8am, the woman was cutting across a green area near Tame Road, flanked by the Brandhall estate and the M5, on her way to catch a bus to work. Two men, believed to have been lying in wait, dragged her into the bushes and raped her. During the assault, one attacker told the woman, who is of Sikh faith, that she 'did not belong' in Britain.
The crime sparked shock across the West Midlands, leading to public warnings, vigils, protests, and questions in Parliament. A total of £30,000 in rewards was offered for information leading to the attackers – £10,000 from the community and £20,000 from Crimestoppers.
Investigation Stalls
Despite extensive efforts, no charges have been brought. Three people have been arrested at various times but none have been formally accused. Chief Superintendent Kim Madill, Sandwell's borough commander, remains determined. "We remain absolutely determined to catch those responsible," she said. "We still believe somebody knows something that could close this case."
Police have conducted fingertip searches, examined hundreds of hours of CCTV and doorbell footage, and tested alternative explanations. The victim remains deeply traumatised. Two men, described as white, remain at large. One had a shaved head, heavy build, and wore a dark sweatshirt and gloves. The second wore a grey top with a silver zip.
One man in his 30s was questioned within days. Two others, a man aged 49 and a woman aged 65, were quizzed about a separate sex assault in Halesowen last October. All remain on bail.
Delayed Public Appeal
The police received the call at 8.26am. Officers safeguarded the victim and searched the scene. The victim had visible injuries, including to her face, but did not require a hospital stay. On the third day, she provided a detailed video interview. Only then did police go public, a decision that proved controversial.
Chief Supt Madill defended the delay, citing standard practice. "When we deal with offences of this nature our first responsibility is always the victim and the investigation," she said. "We were not ready to release those details for a number of reasons." She added that going public earlier would not have been "a true reflection" of what happened.
Community Reaction and Criticism
The delay created an information vacuum. Sikh Youth UK and others began posting details online, including the racist element. Police became "reactive rather than proactive," Madill acknowledged. Over 100 people gathered at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick. A mother said she would no longer allow her children to walk alone.
The Sikh Federation's Dabinderjit Singh cited the "racist political environment...created by politicians" for rising racially aggravated incidents. Sikh organisations accused West Midlands Police of "two-tier policing," arguing the force failed to act with urgency because the victim was Sikh. MPs including Gurinder Singh Josal and Preet Kaur Gill urged police on. A march through Oldbury ended near the attack site, with demands including a '48 hour ultimatum'.
Chief Supt Madill rejected the criticism, insisting the case was treated as a major investigation from the start. She noted the location is surprisingly secluded, with no CCTV and no overlooking windows. "Every stone we turned up...didn't reveal...that is frustrating for the investigation team and the poor victim," she said. Forensic work has concluded, but details cannot be shared for legal reasons.
Wider Context and Advice
Across England and Wales, rape remains difficult to prosecute. In the West Midlands, the 'positive outcome' rate for rape reports in 2025-26 was 9.83% – around 470 successful outcomes out of 4,710 reported cases. In 2022, it was just 1.8%. The force has assigned more expert officers since 2024. HMICFRS rated the force 'inadequate' for investigating crime in its 2023-2025 inspection, noting only 54 of 100 investigations were effective.
Chief Supt Madill urged women to be vigilant and men to be considerate. "Cross the road if you can see a lone female, keep your comments to yourself," she said. "We ask men and boys to keep your friends in check if you hear them make comments." She reiterated that cases like this are rare.
The Major Incident Portal remains open. Anyone with information should contact police. Victims of sexual assault can contact Rape Crisis for support.
