Sikhs in Coventry have been urged to stay vigilant following reports of women being attacked in the West Midlands. Alleged incidents have recently been reported in Walsall, Oldbury, and Wolverhampton.

Police were called to Park Hall, Walsall, on the evening of Saturday, October 25. A woman in her 20s reported being taken to a nearby property and raped.

John Ashby, from Stockland Green, was charged with rape, sexual assault, strangulation, racially aggravated actual bodily harm and robbery on Tuesday (October 28). He appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court the following day and denied all charges (October 29).

READ MORE: Atherstone man charged with indecent exposure in Nuneaton

Councillor Tarlochan Jandu, from Coventry, strongly condemned the alleged attacks and expressed shock at the situation.

Ch Supt Phil Dolby, from West Midlands Police, added: "We know the fear and concern this attack has caused in our communities. We continue to speak to people in the community to listen to and understand their concerns."

In another incident, a woman in her 50s reported being assaulted in Wolverhampton. She was struck with a weapon and racially abused by a group of men in their 20s.

Leaders at Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash in Foleshill urged people to stay vigilant in light of the alleged incidents in the Midlands.

In a statement shared on Facebook, they said: "If you or your family experience or witness any form of hate crime, abuse or harassment, please report it immediately to the authorities.

"In the current political and social climate, it is important that we remain vigilant and exercise caution in our daily lives. Please take care of yourselves and one another."

Sign up for our FREE daily newsletter here for all the latest news about Coventry.