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# Four arrested following ‘hate-related sexual assault’ in Birmingham’s Gay Village
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/four-arrested-following-hate-related-sexual-assault-in-birminghams-gay-village/
- Published: 2023-01-10T09:54:41.000Z
- Updated: 2023-01-10T09:54:41.000Z
- Description: The victim, who is in her 20s, was subjected to a vicious assault, both verbally and physically, and threatened with a knife on Hurst Street just before 5.30am on Sunday, January 8.
- Author: Catherine Muxworthy
- Tags: Coventry and West Midlands, News, Birmingham, Hate Crime, Hurst Street, LGBT, LGBTQ, West Midlands, West Midlands police

Four men have reportedly been arrested for a violent sexual assault in **Birmingham**’s Gay Village, following what is being described as a hate-related sexual assault. The victim, who is in her 20s, was subjected to a vicious assault, both verbally and physically, and threatened with a knife on **Hurst Street** just before **5.30am** on **Sunday, January 8**.

A **West Midlands Police** spokesperson said, “Our CCTV operators spotted the suspicious activity and when the crime was reported almost an hour later, they were able to back-track on the CCTV and direct officers to the suspects.

“The four \[men\], aged between 18 and 22, remain in custody for questioning. We do not tolerate hate crime in our city and have recently set up a new **StreetWatch** in Birmingham’s Gay Village – the first of its kind in the country.”

Despite the support of StreetWatch – a new voluntary patrol service set up following direct feedback during **Birmingham Pride** – the group **Birmingham Against LGBTQI+ Hate** said, “\[This is\] another deeply disturbing hate crime in Birmingham’s Gay Village. More needs to be done to keep our community safe in the centre of a space they should be most secure. StreetWatch is made up of volunteers but we need stronger action from authorities.”

**To find out more about StreetWatch and how you can help, [read our previous article](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/new-volunteer-patrol-service-to-begin-in-birminghams-gay-village-amid-safety-concerns/), email [streetwatch@westmidlands.police.uk](mailto:streetwatch@westmidlands.police.uk) or visit @StreetWatchWM on Twitter.**