LONDON: Police in Cheshire, a county in northwest England, said on Thursday that 25 people have been arrested and charged with public order offences following a series of warrants executed in Crewe a day earlier, as part of a widening investigation into alleged serious crimes at the headquarters of a controversial religious group.

The operation, which saw around 500 officers deployed across multiple sites in the Cheshire town on Wednesday, initially resulted in nine arrests linked to allegations including rape, sexual assault, human trafficking, forced marriage and modern slavery.

In an update on Thursday, police confirmed that a further 25 individuals had been charged with public order offences. Of those charged, seven are British nationals, while the others include two Americans, six individuals from European countries, and nationals from Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, Tobago, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Morocco.

The police action targeted properties associated with the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL), which has its headquarters in a large, former orphanage in Crewe. Officers sealed off nearby roads as convoys entered the gated premises early Wednesday morning, later conducting extensive searches.

Authorities say the investigation was triggered in March after a woman, now based in the Republic of Ireland, reported that she had been raped and sexually abused at the group’s headquarters in 2023, when she was a member.

‘Organisation not targeted’

Cheshire police stressed that the inquiry is focused on specific individuals rather than the religious organisation itself.

Superintendent Gareth Wrigley said: “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.”

The nine suspects initially detained include both men and women of various nationalities. They remain under investigation in connection with the more serious allegations.

The AROPL group, which relocated its headquarters to the UK in 2021, describes itself as a peaceful movement rooted in an Islamic sect and claims to promote equality and human rights. However, it has faced scrutiny in several countries over its practices and internal structure.

Around 150 followers are believed to reside at the Crewe site, including dozens of children.

Police confirmed that safeguarding measures are being implemented in coordination with local authorities.

The group has previously denied allegations of wrongdoing. In response to the latest developments, its legal representatives said any claims of criminal conduct are “vehemently denied.”

The Guardian newspaper previously reported that the group was being investigated in the UK by the Home Office over its use of skilled worker visas.

The Home Office’s investigation focused on visas issued to AROPL Studios, a company set up in 2021 to produce social media and YouTube videos about the sect’s teachings.

The group said it was not involved in illegal immigration practices. Through lawyers, it said the immigration status of all its members and workers was lawful.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2026