Cheshire Police end search of Crewe headquarters in abuse probe

Cheshire Police has ended its search of Webb House in Crewe, the headquarters of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, and returned the building to residents after a major operation that brought in more than 500 officers from Cheshire and neighbouring forces.

Warrants were executed at three addresses in Crewe on Wednesday 29 April 2026: Webb House, a property on Nantwich Road and a property on Badger Avenue. Police said the investigation concerns allegations of serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery, with the reported offences said to have taken place in 2023 while the victim, a woman, was a member of the group. Cheshire Police first became aware of the allegations in March 2026.

Ten people, seven men and three women, were arrested and later released on bail pending further enquiries. The suspects were reported to be of British, American, Mexican, Italian, Spanish, Swedish and Egyptian nationalities. Cheshire Police said the case is not an investigation into the religion itself, but into the specific allegations, and stressed that there is no risk to the wider community.

Five of the suspects were made subject to interim Slavery and Trafficking Risk Orders by Chester Magistrates’ Court on 1 May 2026. The orders include conditions barring them from entering Crewe, contacting the victim, or having unsupervised contact with children under 18. They also place limits on travel documents and identity documents and restrict travel in and out of the UK.

Webb House is a former orphanage and was said to house about 150 people, including 56 children who are home-schooled. Welfare centres have been set up for the children as police and safeguarding partners continue their work. The force has also increased patrols in the area.

The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is described as a religious movement active in around 40 countries and said to have had contact with an estimated 7,000 people. It moved to Cheshire in 2021 from Sweden. Cheshire Police said the investigation remains live and urged the public not to speculate as it continues to assess the allegations and the safeguarding concerns around the Crewe site.