Crewe religious group raided by police investigating allegations of serious sexual offences

"About 500 officers drawn from across the north-west region were on the ground on Wednesday morning and made a number of arrests. The officers had warrants to enter the group's headquarters, which is based out of a former orphanage as well as other properties in Crewe, Cheshire."

"The arrests come after Cheshire police were alerted in March about a woman, now based in the Republic of Ireland, who had made a complaint of being raped and sexually abused at AROPL's headquarters."

"Ch Supt Gareth Wrigley said the force was not yet able to confirm how many arrests had been made. He stressed that the police investigation was focused on individual suspects and not the religious group as a whole."

Police raided the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light's headquarters in Crewe, Cheshire, following allegations of serious sexual offences, modern slavery, and forced marriage. Approximately 500 officers participated in the operation, making several arrests. The investigation was prompted by a complaint from a woman who reported being raped and sexually abused at the group's headquarters. The suspects include men from various nationalities. The police emphasized that the investigation targets individual suspects rather than the religious group as a whole, and safeguarding measures are being implemented for the 56 children living there.

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