- Police have arrested nine individuals – six men and three women of American, Mexican, Italian, Spanish, Swedish and Egyptian nationalities – in Crewe, Cheshire, as part of a probe into allegations of sexual abuse, forced marriage and modern slavery.
- The suspects are allegedly members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, a religious community based at Webb House in Crewe, which was raided along with two other properties.
- The investigation began after a woman made allegations in March this year of rape and sexual abuse while part of the Ahmadi religion in 2023, with all alleged offences involving one victim.
- Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley of Cheshire Constabulary stated that the operation is a robust investigation into serious allegations, not the religion itself.
- Welfare centres have been set up to safeguard 56 children from the community, who are all home-schooled, and police have reassured residents there is no risk to the wider community.
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