Pair arrested in rape investigations are bailed

Protests and vigils have been held after the Oldbury attack

Two people arrested in connection with what police have previously described as the racially aggravated rape of a Sikh woman have been bailed.

The 49-year-old man and 65-year-old woman were arrested on Friday on suspicion of two counts of rape.

They include the attack on a Sikh woman in her 20s in Tame Road, Oldbury, on 9 September, and a rape that took place at Hurst Green Park in Halesowen on Thursday, which is not being treated as racially aggravated.

West Midlands Police said on Monday both people had been bailed, pending further inquiries. The news sparked concern in the Sikh community, however, whose leaders said community confidence in the police was at an "all time low".

The assault in Oldbury led to protests and vigils last month, and concern from Birmingham Edgbaston MP Preet Gill over an increase in hate crime.

After Friday's arrests, Inderjit Kaur from the Sikh Federation questioned how long the investigation had taken and highlighted "huge community concern".

Another man, arrested on suspicion of rape in connection with the Oldbury attack, was released on bail last month.

The force said the victims of both attacks were being supported by specialist officers.