Cheshire Police Raid ARPOL In Crewe, Arrest Six Over Modern Slavery Allegations

Cheshire Police carried out a major operation in Crewe, arresting six people over serious allegations including modern slavery at a religious group called the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (ARPOL).

“- Published Six people have been arrested over serious allegations, including modern slavery, at a religious group in Cheshire, police say”

BBC

The BBC said the raids took place at about 08:50 BST and involved “More than 500 officers” at three addresses, with police vehicles and ambulances seen at King George V playing fields.

BBC

The Liverpool Echo reported that police descended on Webb House, a former orphanage home used by the group since 2021, and said the operation began around 8.50am Wednesday morning (April 29).

LBC similarly described “Hundreds of police” launching a dawn raid on three properties connected with the group, with the site described as a former children’s orphanage at Webb House, Crewe.

Metro.co.uk added that the raids involved “Hundreds of officers” and said the group’s headquarters was at Webb House in Crewe, where “around 150 people” were living.

Across the reports, officers searched multiple buildings, including Webb House, and Cheshire Police said they were working with the local authority to support residents and put safeguarding measures in place.

Cheshire East Council spokesperson confirmed involvement, saying, “Our priority is to ensure that those people who have been displaced are safe and supported.”

The operation followed allegations that police said were reported last month and related to events in 2023, including serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery.

The BBC said Cheshire Police were made aware last month of allegations of serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery, reported to have taken place in 2023, and that the allegations related to one woman who was a member of the group at the time the offences were said to have taken place.

LBC

Liverpool Echo likewise said alleged offences included serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery, reported to have taken place in 2023, and that all of the offences involved one victim, a woman, who was a member of the group at the time the alleged offences occurred.

Metro.co.uk described the raids as coming after a woman in March this year made allegations of rape and sexual abuse while part of the Ahmadi religion in 2023, and said all of the alleged offences involved one victim.

Northwich Guardian said the warrants followed a number of allegations made in March this year against members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Crewe, and that all of the offences involved one victim, a woman.

LBC stated that the offences involved one victim who was a member of the group at the time of the alleged offences in 2023, and said detectives were conducting a search of the premises after the arrests.

In the BBC account, Cheshire Police said the group currently had 150 members, and the force said the allegations related to one woman, with the force said the arrests including four men and two women.

Cheshire Constabulary Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley repeatedly emphasized that the investigation was into alleged offences rather than the religion itself, while also stressing support and reassurance for residents.

“Religious group raided over alleged sex and slavery offences 500 police descended on a former orphanage home to the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light A number of members involved in a religious group have been arrested as police launched a huge raid on a former orphanage in Crewe”

Liverpool Echo

The BBC quoted Wrigley saying, “Today's operation is the outcome of a detailed and robust investigation,” and added that “While those arrested are members of the group, I want to make 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.”

Liverpool Echo carried the same core statement, quoting Wrigley: “We treat all reports of sexual assault seriously and are committed to doing all we can to achieve justice.”

Northwich Guardian also quoted Wrigley, including “Following the arrests we are working closely with our partners to provide the appropriate advice and safeguarding to other members of the group.”

LBC likewise quoted Wrigley, including “I would like to reassure residents that there is no risk to the wider community, and patrols have been stepped up to provide reassurance to local residents.”

Metro.co.uk reproduced Wrigley’s remarks in full, including “I would urge anyone with any concerns to speak to an officer.”

The BBC added that Wrigley said the force was “working closely” with its partners to provide support for the group’s members and that there would be a “continued and significant policing presence in the area.”

The reporting diverged on key details, including how many people were arrested and how the raid and the group’s living arrangements were described.

The BBC said “Six people have been arrested” and specified that four were male and two female, while LBC also said “Six people have been arrested in connection with the raid, four men and two women.”

Metro.co.uk

Metro.co.uk said “Several people have been arrested,” and Northwich Guardian said “it is not known how many people have been arrested at this time,” even as it described the operation and the warrants.

Liverpool Echo stated that Cheshire Police had not yet confirmed the number of people arrested, even though it described the raid on Webb House and said police had launched a huge raid on the former orphanage in Crewe.

The BBC described the group as having “150 members” and said the allegations related to one woman, while Metro.co.uk said “around 150 people” were living at Webb House and added that the group had “56 children, all home schooled.”

Metro.co.uk also said “Two other properties locally linked to suspects have also been raided,” while the BBC said raids took place at “three addresses.”

These differences shaped how each outlet framed the operation: BBC and LBC emphasized the arrest count and the reassurance message, while Metro.co.uk foregrounded the scale of the household and children being home schooled, and Northwich Guardian and Liverpool Echo emphasized uncertainty about the arrest total during the ongoing search.

While the arrests were reported, the sources also focused on what police said they were doing for residents and how the investigation would continue.

“POLICE have arrested several people involved in a religious group as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse, modern slavery, and forced marriage”

Northwich Guardian

The BBC said detectives had searched three buildings, including Webb House, and that officers were working with the local authority to support residents and put appropriate safeguarding measures in place.

Northwich Guardian

Liverpool Echo said Webb House was being searched by officers and that police were working closely with the local authority to support the residents from the property and appropriate safeguarding measures were in place.

Northwich Guardian similarly said officers were working closely with the local authority to support the residents from the property and appropriate safeguarding measures were in place, and it reported that the operation involved more than 500 officers from Cheshire Police and neighbouring forces.

The BBC also included a public-facing instruction, urging anyone with any information which could assist to contact the force.

Northwich Guardian specified a contact route, asking anyone with any information to contact Cheshire police at Public Portal or call 101.

Metro.co.uk added that welfare centres had been set up to safeguard and look after the 56 children, all home schooled, and said the group was part of the local Ahmadi community.