In a dramatic turn of events on April 29, 2026, the quiet town of Crewe, Cheshire, found itself at the center of a sweeping police operation as more than 500 officers descended on the headquarters of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. The coordinated raids, which also targeted two other properties in the area, were the result of a months-long investigation into disturbing allegations of sexual abuse, forced marriage, and modern slavery within the religious community.
The operation began in the early morning hours, with police vehicles and uniformed officers visible along Victoria Avenue, Nantwich Road, and Badger Avenue. The focal point was Webb House, a sprawling former orphanage and NHS hospital now serving as the communal home for about 150 members of the Ahmadi group. According to The Independent, the group has occupied the property since 2021, having relocated from Sweden, and is led by its founder, Abdullah Hashem, an Egyptian-American.
The investigation was sparked in March 2026 when a woman, who had since moved to the Republic of Ireland, came forward with allegations of rape and sexual abuse that she said occurred in 2023 while she was a member of the group. All the alleged offences involve this single victim, police confirmed. The seriousness of her claims prompted authorities to act swiftly, and the scale of the response was unprecedented for the region.
Cheshire Police, supported by officers from Europol, the Swedish Police Authority, and the Garda, executed three warrants in Crewe. The raids resulted in the arrest of nine individuals—six men and three women—whose nationalities span American, Mexican, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, and Egyptian backgrounds. As reported by Metro and Express, all those arrested are members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, but authorities were quick to clarify that the investigation targets specific criminal allegations, not the faith or its broader community.
Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley of Cheshire Constabulary addressed the public’s concerns in a statement that was echoed across several media outlets. "Today's operation is the outcome of a detailed and robust investigation into reports 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 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. We treat all reports of sexual assault seriously and are committed to doing all we can to achieve justice."
He further reassured the local community: "Following the arrests, we are working closely with our partners to provide the appropriate advice and safeguarding to other members of the group. I would like to reassure residents that there is no risk to the wider community, and patrols have been stepped up to provide reassurance to local residents. I would urge anyone with any concerns to speak to an officer."
For many in Crewe, the news was both shocking and unsettling. The Ahmadi community, which claims links to a branch of Islam, had been living in relative obscurity since its arrival in 2021. According to Religion Media Centre, the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light began in Iraq and now claims a presence in over 40 countries, with an estimated 7,000 people having had contact with the movement. At Webb House, the group’s English headquarters, both adults and children—56 of whom are home-schooled—live in a communal setting.
Local authorities and social services have moved swiftly to provide support and safeguarding, particularly for the children. Welfare centers have been established to ensure the safety and well-being of the 56 home-schooled children associated with the community. Officers are working closely with the local authority to support residents and ensure that appropriate safeguarding measures are in place, as confirmed by police spokespeople in statements to Metro and Cheshire Live.
The operation has drawn attention from local politicians as well. Connor Naismith, Labour MP for Crewe and Nantwich, took to social media to express both concern and support for the ongoing investigation. "I understand that this news will be particularly worrying for residents in close proximity to the addresses where the arrests have taken place. I have asked that Cheshire Police will conduct their investigations thoroughly and promptly to ensure calm is restored to our community," Naismith wrote, noting that he had previously raised concerns about the group’s activities.
The sheer scale of the police response—over 500 officers from Cheshire Police and neighbouring forces—reflects the gravity with which authorities are treating the allegations. This is not a case of isolated misconduct, but rather, as police describe it, a robust and detailed probe into potentially systemic abuses within a closed religious community. The involvement of international law enforcement agencies such as Europol, the Swedish Police Authority, and the Garda further underscores the cross-border nature of the investigation, given the group’s recent relocation from Sweden and its multinational membership.
For Crewe’s residents, the events have prompted a mix of anxiety and relief. On one hand, the presence of such a large and secretive group in their midst had long been a source of speculation and, for some, concern. On the other, the swift and decisive action by police has reassured many that allegations of abuse will be taken seriously, regardless of the sensitivities involved in investigating a religious organization.
Chief Superintendent Wrigley and his team have emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing. Searches of the raided properties continue, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward, either through the public portal or by contacting police directly. While the case is still in its early stages, the authorities’ commitment to transparency and community engagement has been clear throughout.
The story of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Crewe is far from over. With multiple agencies involved and a community still reeling from the shock, the coming weeks are likely to bring further developments. For now, however, the focus remains on safeguarding vulnerable individuals, supporting the wider community, and ensuring that justice is pursued wherever wrongdoing is found.
As the dust settles and the investigation unfolds, Crewe’s residents—and the broader public—will be watching closely, hoping for answers and, above all, for safety and justice to prevail.