The victim, described as a British-born Sikh, said her attackers made racist remarks, telling her she did not belong in the country. The incident took place on Tame Road on Tuesday morning between 8am and 8.30am.
West Midlands police confirmed a man in his 30s has been detained on suspicion of rape and remains in custody. Detectives continue to investigate, with officers still searching for others believed to be involved.
In a statement released via the Sikh Federation (UK), the victim thanked her family and community for their support, saying the ordeal had “deeply affected” her. She added: “All I was doing was going about my day on my way to work, and what has happened has deeply affected us. The police are doing their best to find those responsible and I truly hope they are caught so that this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
Ch Supt Kim Madill described the arrest as a “significant development” and urged the public not to speculate while enquiries continue.
Police are still appealing for information about two white men who were seen in the area at the time of the attack. One was described as heavyset with a shaved head, wearing a dark sweatshirt and gloves; the other was wearing a grey top with a silver zip.
Local MPs expressed their horror at the incident. Sarah Coombes, Labour MP for West Bromwich, called it “absolutely horrible”, while Gurinder Singh Josan, Labour MP for Smethwick, labelled it a “truly horrific attack” and Preet Kaur Gill, Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, said: “Racism and misogyny have no place in Oldbury, or anywhere in Britain.”
