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Two more arrested in religious group investigation

Cheshire Police raided the base of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in April
Cheshire Police raided the base of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in April

The arrests are made as part of the investigation into the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light group.

Two more people have been arrested as part of an investigation into alleged sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery involving members of a religious group.

They were held in Cheshire Police's probe into the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL), which saw officers raid the group's base in Crewe in April.

On Monday, a Mexican woman, 53, was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and child neglect, while a British man, 43, was held on suspicion of child neglect and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

A 43-year-old American woman, who was first detained in April, was also re-arrested on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

All three were later released on bail pending further inquiries, a spokesperson for the force said.

They have also applied for a stalking and trafficking risk order against the 53-year-old woman, with the application set to be heard at Chester Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Twelve other suspects who were arrested following the initial raid remained on conditional bail, which prevented them from entering Crewe, the spokesperson added.

More than 500 officers took part in the raids in April
More than 500 officers took part in the raids in April

Det Insp Eleanor Atkinson said the recent arrests were as a result of concerns being raised in relation to the welfare of the children at Webb House.

She said she wanted to reassure residents that appropriate safeguarding measures were in place and there was not believed to by any risk to the wider community.

"None of the allegations we have received relate to anyone outside of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light and all the suspects we have arrested are also members of the religious group," she added.

While they were members of the group, Atkinson reiterated that this was not an investigation into the religion.

"Our investigation solely focuses on the serious allegations which have been reported to us," she added.

"While our investigation continues, we continue to remind everyone that this case is likely to take some time and we would ask people not to speculate."

In a previous statement issued by lawyers, AROPL said it was "a peaceful open religion, widely recognised internationally as a new religion".

The raids and ensuing protests have sparked concern among the community
The raids and ensuing protests have sparked concern among the community

AROPL, which moved to Crewe in 2021, was started by followers of Shia Islam at the start of the century but the group's beliefs have since been rejected by Shiism.

Since the raids in April, which involved more than 500 officers, several protests have taken place outside Webb House, which has led to a number of people being arrested.

The disorder also sparked concern among residents living nearby and local political figures, with Crewe's MP Connor Naismith previously calling for calm and urging people to let the police do their job.

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