Hundreds of police officers have today raided an Islamic sect operating out of a heavily guarded former orphanage in Cheshire following allegations of rape, modern slavery and forced marriage.
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) was previously based in Sweden before relocating to Crewe in 2021, moving into a former orphanage.
But it has faced allegations that followers are asked to offer up their salaries or sell their possessions to contribute to the religious sect.
Shortly before 9am today around 500 officers from Cheshire Police and neighbouring forces descended on Grade II-listed Webb House and other addresses used by the group.
They are understood to have arrested several suspects of multiple nationalities, while more than 50 children who were being home-schooled there are being looked after by partner agencies.
Alleged offences being probed include serious sexual abuse, modern slavery and forced marriage, although police have stressed that their investigation is not into the religious group itself.
All of the alleged offences involve one victim, a woman, when she was a member of the group in 2023.
Specialist officers are understood to be speaking with potential victims while searches of the building take place.
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) is operating out of a heavily guarded former orphanage in Cheshire (pictured)
Van-loads of police officers arriving at the group’s former orphanage headquarters in Crewe on Wednesday morning to investigate allegations of rape, modern slavery and forced marriage
Crowds standing opposite police outside Webb House in Crewe which faces allegations that followers are asked to offer their salaries or sell possessions to contribute to the religious sect
In 2025 ex-members told The Guardian how they felt pressured to cut ties with the outside world and were encouraged to sell their homes to fund its activities.
One woman claimed she handed over all the money she was gifted for her wedding, while another says he donated about £33,000.
It is understood that around 150 followers live in the £2million Cheshire building, including families with children who are home schooled there.
Webb House was originally built as an orphanage for children of railway workers who had lost their parents in work-related accidents and later became British Rail offices and an NHS specialist mental health facility.
AROPL says it is a peaceful religious movement derived from Shia Islam – the second-largest branch of Islam – that has been persecuted around the world due to its belief in equality and human rights.
It describes itself as the ‘fulfilment of prophecy as per the narrations and scriptures of the Abrahamic faiths’ – a term for the elements shared by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Lawyers for AROPL say the sect advocates for mainstream medical advice from the NHS in the UK and there is no requirement that other members should sell property or give up salaries.
They say children living there are home-schooled by their individual parents with the approval of the local education authority which monitors their progress.
Members of the public all wearing the same hats watch police in Crewe on Wednesday
Shortly before 9am today around 500 officers from Cheshire Police and neighbouring forces descended on Grade II-listed Webb House
Specialist officers are understood to be speaking with potential victims while searches of the building take place
Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley, of Cheshire Constabulary, said: ‘Today’s operation is the outcome of a detailed and robust investigation into reports of serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery involving members of a religious group called Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Crewe.
‘While those arrested are members of the group, I want to make clear that this is not an investigation into the religion, this is an investigation into the serious allegations which have been reported to us.
‘We treat all reports of sexual assault seriously and are committed to doing all we can to achieve justice.
‘Following the arrests we are working closely with our partners to provide the appropriate advice and safeguarding to other members of the group.’
