A 32-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 20-year-old Indian-origin woman in Walsall, West Midlands. The incident, described by police as a "racially aggravated" attack, occurred over the weekend and has sparked outrage among local South Asian communities and British lawmakers.

The suspect was detained on Monday morning in the Perry Barr area, shortly after police launched a manhunt. Officers responded to reports of a woman in distress on a residential street and discovered that she had been assaulted at a nearby property by a man she did not know. The police stated, "We’ve arrested a man after a woman was raped in Walsall in what we are treating as a racially aggravated attack."

According to the West Midlands Police, the victim is believed to be of Punjabi heritage. Community organizations, including the Sikh Federation UK, have expressed their concerns, stating that the woman was attacked inside her home, with the assailant allegedly breaking down the door. The Federation highlighted that this incident follows another racially motivated sexual assault on a British Sikh woman in Oldbury just weeks earlier.

Detective Superintendent Ronan Tyrer described the attack as "an absolutely appalling attack on a young woman" and emphasized the importance of community cooperation in the investigation. Police had previously released CCTV images of the suspect, who is described as a white male in his 30s with short hair and dark clothing. They urged anyone with information or footage from the area to come forward.

The incident has raised significant concerns about the safety of women in the region. Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby of Walsall Police acknowledged the fear this attack has instilled in the community, stating, "Walsall is a diverse area, and we know the fear and concern this awful attack will cause in our communities."

British Sikh MPs Preet Kaur Gill and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi condemned the attack, highlighting a troubling pattern of racially aggravated sexual violence. Gill expressed her shock, saying, "Deeply shocked and saddened that we are hearing of yet another racially aggravated rape, this time in Walsall." Dhesi added, "Spreading of hate has real consequences. We must help police bring those responsible to justice." The accused is currently in custody and being questioned by the police as the investigation continues.