Crimestoppers reward over 'racially motivated' rape

Members of the Sikh community protested against the attack earlier this week

A £20,000 reward has been offered by charity Crimestoppers for information leading to the conviction of two men sought over the "racially motivated" rape of a Sikh woman.

Police inquiries are ongoing into the alleged rape in the Tame Road area of Oldbury, near Birmingham, at about 08:30 BST on 9 September.

Earlier, the Sikh Federation UK said the community would be putting up a separate £10,000 reward alongside a poster campaign urging people with any camera footage to contact West Midlands Police.

Ch Supt Kim Madill said officers were determined to find answers and believed that would possible with the public's help.

"This young woman is at the heart of our enquiries and we continue to support her and keep her updated on developments," she said.

"Whilst this is being treated as an isolated incident at this time, I understand the fear and concern this has caused for our communities.

"Violence against women and girls remains a key priority for me and my teams in Sandwell.

"I would like to reassure you that we are doing everything possible to bring those responsible to justice on this young woman's behalf."

A spokesperson for the Sikh Federation UK said: "The Sikh community has in response now put out its own appeal and put up a reward of £10,000 for information leading to the arrest and successful conviction of the two men involved.

"Sikh media are also carrying the appeal and information about the reward on community television."

The victim was attacked close to Tame Road at about 08:30 on 9 September

At an appeal on Thursday, Ch Supt Madill said the timing of the attack was a "key" one for people going to work or school and called for anyone with information to come forward.

"We again appeal to anyone in the area where we are today who may have seen two white men," she said.

"One had a shaved head and a heavy build and was reported to be wearing a dark coloured sweatshirt and had gloves on.

"The second man was reportedly wearing a grey top with a silver zip."

Specialist detectives have so far examined hundreds of hours of CCTV, and forensic experts are also carrying out extensive inquiries.

Officers arrested a man in his 30s on 14 September on suspicion of rape. He has been bailed pending further inquiries.