File photo of a security guard at the group’s headquarters, a former orphanage in Crewe. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The GuardianView image in fullscreenFile photo of a security guard at the group’s headquarters, a former orphanage in Crewe. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The GuardianCrewe religious group raided by police investigating allegations of serious sexual offencesAbout 500 officers deployed as part of operation at headquarters of Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light
Police have raided the headquarters of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light following an investigation into allegations of serious sexual offences, modern slavery and forced marriage.
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. All of the alleged offences took place in 2023 and involved the woman, who was a member of the group at the time the offences occurred.
The suspects in the case, who are all men, are American, Mexican, British, German and Spanish. Following the arrests, police conducted a search of the premises.
AROPL is a sect that blends tenets of Islam with conspiracy theories about the Illuminati and aliens controlling US presidents. Followers believe the sect’s leader, who lives with the group in Crewe, can cure the sick and make the moon disappear. About 150 people live together in a sprawling, grade II-listed building in Crewe. Other followers live elsewhere in the town and around the world.
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.
About 56 children are understood to be living at the group’s headquarters, where they are homeschooled. Wrigley said the force was working with local partners to put safeguarding measures in place.
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Show moreAROPL moved its headquarters to the UK in 2021 from Sweden, where they were investigated by immigration authorities, who issued deportation orders to dozens of its members.
The Guardian has previously reported that the group was being investigated by the Home Office over its use of skilled worker visas.
AROPL’s lawyers told the Guardian: “Our client has no comment other than to say that any wrongdoing is vehemently denied.”
