A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of raping an 18-year-old woman under a Kidderminster bridge.

The victim was walking near the main bus depot traffic island, at the junction of Worcester Road and Stourport Road, when she was approached by a man at about 10.30pm on Monday.

He threatened her with violence and forcibly took her under the bridge under the A449 Worcester Road where he attacked her on the bank next to the river.

At 8.20pm last night, a 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape in Kidderminster and he remains in custody at Kidderminster Police Station where he is being questioned by detectives.

Detective Inspector John Cashion at Kidderminster CID said: "This was a nasty and vicious incident and I want to reassure the local community that a team of detectives have been working hard on the case.

"The young woman involved has suffered the most distressing of crimes and we are doing all we can to support her at this difficult time, including putting her in touch with independent counselling services.

"We have arrested a man, but our inquiries continue and I would like to appeal to anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area on Monday night to please get in touch straightaway."

DI Cashion can be contacted via the non-emergency police number 101 or information can be passed on anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.