Police have issued an urgent CCTV appeal over the incident in Walsall, West Midlands – we’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
Police have issued an urgent appeal after a woman in her 20s was raped in a ‘racially aggravated attack’.
Officers were called to the scene in the in the Park Hall area of Walsall, West Midlands at 7.15pm last night, where they established she had been “raped and assaulted at a nearby property” by a “man she did not know”. The suspect, who is seen in newly released CCTV images, is described as a white man in his 30s, with short hair, and was wearing dark clothing at the time.
A statement from West Midlands Police said: “We were called just after 7.15pm last night to concerns for the welfare of a woman in distress in the street.
“Officers established that she had been raped and assaulted at a nearby property by a man she did not know.
“She is now being supported by our officers following the attack, in the Park Hall area of Walsall. The attacker is described as white, in his 30s, with short hair, and was wearing dark clothing.”
Det Supt Ronan Tyrer, who is overseeing the investigation, said: “This was an absolutely appalling attack on a young woman, and we are doing absolutely everything we can to arrest the person responsible.
“We have teams of officers recovering evidence and building a profile of the attacker so that he can be brought into custody as soon as possible.
“While we are following multiple lines of enquiry right now, it’s vital that we get to hear from anyone who saw a man acting suspiciously in the area at the time.
“It may that you were driving through the area and have dashcam footage, or you have CCTV that we have not yet recovered. Your information could be the vital breakthrough that we need.
“At this stage we are not linking this attack to any other offences.”
Ch Supt Phil Dolby, of Walsall Police, said: “Our focus is on supporting the investigators in identifying and arresting the attacker.
“Walsall is a diverse area, and we know the fear and concern that this awful attack will cause, in our communities.
“We have been speaking to people in the community today to listen to and understand their concerns, and there will be an increased policing presence in the coming days.”
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