{"id":30728,"date":"2026-04-29T11:53:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T15:53:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=30728"},"modified":"2026-04-29T11:53:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T15:53:06","slug":"nine-held-in-religious-group-modern-slavery-raid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2026\/04\/29\/nine-held-in-religious-group-modern-slavery-raid\/","title":{"rendered":"Nine held in religious group modern slavery raid"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nine people have been arrested over allegations of serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery among members of a religious group in Cheshire.<\/b><\/p>\n

More than 500 officers were involved in raids at three addresses, as part of an investigation of the group in Crewe called the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (Arpol), started by followers of Shia Islam at the start of the century.<\/p>\n

Cheshire Police said it was made aware last month of allegations reported to have taken place in 2023.<\/p>\n

The force said the group currently had 150 members and the allegations related to one woman, who was a member at the time the offences were said to have taken place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Of those arrested, the force said six were male and three female, with their nationalities including American, Mexican, Italian, Spanish and British.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The force added that while those arrested were members of the group, officers were not investigating the religion itself.<\/p>\n

A further 13 people have been arrested on suspicion of public order offences, which do not relate to the investigation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The raids were carried out shortly before 09:00 BST on Tuesday, officers said<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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 <\/p>\n

The raids took place at about 08:50 BST, and a number of police vehicles and ambulances were seen at King George V playing fields, just over a mile to the west of the town centre.<\/p>\n

There were also reports roads were closed in the nearby Victoria Avenue area, near to Queens Park.<\/p>\n

Arpol owns several properties and the Cheshire force said they had also sent officers to Nantwich Road in the south of the town as part of their investigation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Detectives have searched three buildings, including Webb House, and officers said they were working with the local authority to support residents and put appropriate safeguarding measures in place.<\/p>\n

A Cheshire East Council spokesperson confirmed they were involved: “Our priority is to ensure that those people who have been displaced are safe and supported.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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There was a large police presence in Crewe on Tuesday morning<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Those arrested were:<\/p>\n

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