West Midlands Police have released CCTV footage following a disturbing attempted carjacking in Birmingham, where a woman’s hijab was forcibly removed. The incident unfolded on Monday, March 9, at approximately 6.30pm, near Gravelly Hill railway station in Erdington’s Hunton Hill area.
The victim, accompanied by her elderly father, was attacked by three men as she was loading her car. One assailant grabbed her from behind, pulled off her hijab, and dragged her to the ground in a violent attempt to seize the vehicle. Her father, in his 70s, intervened to protect her, leading the attackers to flee on foot.
The woman described the traumatic event in an online post: “At 6:32pm on March 9, my dad and I were attacked by three white men just as I was about to drive to mosque for Taraweeh prayers. One assailant attacked me from behind, pulled off my hijab, and pushed me to the ground while trying to steal my car. My elderly father tried to protect me and was pushed into a gate. I screamed, which scared one attacker away, while the other two left calmly as if nothing happened. This attack has left us both very shocked and traumatised.”
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The released CCTV footage shows two of the suspects vividly: one clean-shaven man wearing a black cap, black coat, trousers, and brown shoes; and another dressed in a red hooded top with white stripes, royal blue trousers, and white trainers.
West Midlands Police confirmed they are actively investigating the violent crime. A force spokesperson stated, “We appeal for the public’s help after the attack when a woman was grabbed and had her hijab pulled off at Hunton Hill around 6.30pm. The assailants attempted to enter her car but fled when her father intervened. We have released CCTV footage to help identify the suspects.”
Inspector Hayley Thompson, covering Sutton Coldfield and Erdington, commented, “This was a terrifying ordeal for the woman and her father. Extra officers are currently patrolling the area, and we continue to support the victim as the investigation progresses.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact West Midlands Police via 101 or Live Chat, quoting reference 20/173393/26.