Religious group members bailed in modern slavery inquiry
Cheshire PoliceTen people arrested over allegations of sexual abuse, forced marriage and modern slavery involving a religious group in Cheshire have been released on bail, police have said.
More than 500 police officers were involved in raids at three addresses in Crewe on Wednesday.
Police said the alleged victim, a woman, was a member of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) in 2023.
Seven men and three women have been bailed with conditions. Police said they had applied for slavery and trafficking risk orders against five of the suspects.
AROPL was started by followers of Shia Islam at the start of the century, but its beliefs have been rejected by Shia muslims.
About 150 people are understood to live at its base at Webb House, which was searched by police along with two other properties owned by the group.
The 10 people arrested were of various nationalities, including British, Mexican, Italian, American, Spanish, German, Swedish and Egyptian.
Twenty five people have been charged for public order offences during the raids, but not connected to the investigation. All of them are due to appear at Crewe Magistrates' Court on various dates in June.
Chief Supt Gareth Wrigley said the operation was "not an investigation into the religion", adding: "We are continuing to work closely with our partners to provide the appropriate advice and safeguarding to other members of the group.
"I'd like to thank local residents for their support and patience following the warrants which resulted in some disruption in the local area," he said.
He said that additional patrols would remain in place over the bank holiday weekend to provide reassurance.
"This remains a live investigation which will take some time and I would ask that people do not speculate while the case remains ongoing," he said.
On Wednesday and Thursday a group understood to be members of the group or connected to it gathered outside Middlewich police station.
AROPL is not to be confused with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, often known as Ahmadis, which was founded on the Asian subcontinent and has a big presence in the UK.
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