West Midlands Police seek witnesses after alleged park rape

Police in the West Midlands are investigating an alleged rape that occurred in a busy country park last month, appealing for witnesses to an incident that has heightened local safety concerns. The victim, a woman, was found injured in the Priory Woods area of Sandwell Valley Country Park on the morning of Monday, June 29, and was taken to hospital for assessment.

Officers were called to the scene at approximately 10:15 a.m. after concerns were raised for a woman's welfare. The woman has since been discharged from the hospital and is receiving support from specially trained officers. In a statement released on Monday, July 20, West Midlands Police confirmed that following initial enquiries, investigators believe the woman was raped.

Detective Inspector Phil Griffiths said officers have spent the past three weeks reviewing CCTV footage from around the park, examining forensic evidence, and speaking to potential witnesses. He emphasized that the park would have been busy on a Monday morning and urged anyone who was in the area between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. on June 29 to come forward. "We need to hear from you if you saw anything that was suspicious," Griffiths said.