Twelfth person arrested following serious allegations at a religious group in Crewe

On Friday 8 May a 30-year-old man who is a Mexican National was detained in Croydon on suspicion of sexual assault by penetration and modern slavery offences. He has since been interviewed and released on conditional bail. An application is being made for a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order against the man which is set to be heard in court next week.

This follows the arrest of a 48-year-old British national on Thursday 7 May. He was bailed and as of today subject of a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order.

The investigation began in March 2026 when Cheshire Police were made aware of allegations of serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery, involving members of a religious group called the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light.

The offences are reported to have taken place in 2023 and involved one victim, a woman, who was a member of the group at the time the offences occurred.

Following a detailed investigation into the allegations, officers conducted three warrants in Crewe on Wednesday 29 April, leading to the arrest of six men and three women.

The suspects, who were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including rape, human trafficking, modern slavery, sexual assault and forced marriage offences, have all since been released on conditional bail.

Superintendent Adam Waller, Head of the Major Crime Directorate at Cheshire Constabulary, said:

“As this arrest shows, this investigation is still very much active and remains at a fast pace.

“We can confirm that the suspect arrested is also a known member of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Crewe, and his arrest is linked to the original allegations which were reported to us in March 2026.

“These include allegations of serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery involving members of a religious group called Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Crewe.  

“While all the suspects we have arrested are members of the group, as we have stated from the beginning, this is not an investigation into the religion. Our investigation solely focuses on the serious allegations which have been reported to us.

“With that in mind, I’d also remind everyone that this remains a live investigation which will take some time, and I would ask that people do not speculate while the case remains ongoing.”

Anyone with any information which could assist with the investigation is asked to contact Cheshire police at Public Portal or call 101.