Arrests Made in Racially Aggravated Assault on Two Sikh Men in Wolverhampton

London, August 20 (PTI) – The British Transport Police (BTP) has made three arrests in relation to a suspected racially aggravated assault on two elderly Sikh men outside Wolverhampton train station in England's West Midlands. A video of the attack has rapidly circulated online, prompting community groups to express outrage and urge local Members of Parliament to take action. The BTP reported the arrest of a 17-year-old boy and two men, aged 19 and 25, in connection with the incident. Video evidence highlights the targeting of one Sikh man's turban. The attack occurred on August 15. “I do not underestimate the level of concern this incident has caused to the victims and their families, the local community, and beyond,” stated Superintendent Sue Peters, BTP’s local policing commander for the railways in the Midlands region. “To reassure the community, I can confirm that BTP officers responded rapidly, resulting in three arrests post the 999 call, with an off-duty BTP Chief Inspector stopping to assist as well. The 17-year-old boy, and two men, aged 19 and 25, were detained and later released on bail. The incident is being treated as racially aggravated,” she elaborated on Tuesday. According to the police chief, witness statements, along with CCTV and social media inquiries, are being pursued as part of an extensive investigation. It's revealed that several officers sustained minor injuries during the arrests. The two victims have been reached for their statements, although there was a delay due to the injuries and shock they experienced. Peters added, “We organized an appropriate time to interview them as per their families’ preferences, prioritizing the victims' welfare. Reports suggesting any delay resulted from resourcing issues are incorrect. We are engaging with the local MP, the Sikh community, and the Sikh Police Association to address their concerns. Such behavior will not be tolerated on the railway network, and our thorough investigation continues promptly.” The Sikh Federation UK has appealed for West Midlands’ Indian-origin MPs, Warinder Juss and Sureena Brackenridge, to intervene amid fears of a rise in anti-Sikh hate crimes. “A viral video from Wolverhampton shows two elderly Sikh men, in their 60s and 70s, being brutally assaulted in daylight. One victim’s turban is seen on the ground, with another man kicked and punched,” the group noted. “This surge in animosity towards individuals perceived as foreign coincides with a popular right-wing ‘anti-immigration’ agenda,” it added. The Sikh men attacked are reportedly local taxi drivers on duty outside the station during the incident.

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