Officers investigating a racially-motivated rape in the West Midlands have arrested a man, police have said.
Officers were called just before 8.30am on Tuesday after a Sikh woman in her 20s reported being attacked by two white men in the area around Tame Road in Oldbury.
The man, who is in his 30s, was detained as part of enquiries on Sunday evening, West Midlands Police said. He remains in custody on suspicion of rape.
Chief Superintendent Kim Madill, of Sandwell Police, said: “This is a significant development in the investigation and we want to thank the community for their continuing support.
“The investigation remains ongoing and we would urge people not to speculate as we work to identify and trace all those who may have been involved.”
News of the arrest comes after members of the Sikh community gathered on Sunday to show support for the woman.
Scores of people met outside the Guru Nanak Gurdwara temple in Smethwick, where they conducted prayers and offered their support. They then went to the alleged scene of the crime.
Speaking to Sky News at the gathering, Parbinder Kaur, a councillor for Smethwick, said she was attending the protests as “a woman, a mother, a grandmother”.
Ms Kaur said her religion is one of peace and praying for humanity as a whole, which is why she believes “this is the time to unite”.
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The woman, who is entitled to anonymity as the victim of a sex offence, previously issued a statement through community group Sikh Youth UK.
Thanking everyone for their support, she said: “We are going through a lot, but the strength and kindness shown by the right people in the community has been incredible and I can’t thank them enough for being my voice.
“I would never wish this on anyone. All I was doing was going about my day on my way to work, and what has happened has deeply affected us.”
She is receiving support as the investigation continues and anyone with information is being urged to contact West Midlands Police.
