Religious group members questioned over modern slavery | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Web House: A former orphanage currently owned by the "Amadi Religion of Peace and Light."
• Arpole: An alternative name for the religious group involved in the investigation.
• Safeguarding: The process of protecting vulnerable individuals from harm, abuse, or neglect.
• Modern Slavery: The severe exploitation of people for personal or commercial gain.
• Abdullah Hashim: The leader of the religious group.

Overview of the Police Operation

A large-scale police raid was conducted at "Web House," a property formerly used as an orphanage and currently occupied by the Amadi Religion of Peace and Light. The operation involved a significant deployment of police vehicles and the establishment of on-site tents to facilitate searches and investigations. The scale of the operation caused notable disruption in the local suburb, with residents reporting helicopter surveillance and individuals attempting to flee the property by jumping over fences into neighboring gardens.

Nature of the Investigation

Police authorities have clarified the scope of the investigation to distinguish between criminal allegations and the religious organization itself.

• Allegations: The investigation is centered on serious criminal offenses, specifically:
  • Serious sexual offenses.
  • Forced marriage.
  • Modern slavery.
• Official Stance: Law enforcement explicitly stated: "I must stress at this point, we are investigating those offenses and we are not investigating the religious group."
• Leadership: The group, also referred to as "Arpole," was founded by followers of Shia Islam and is led by Abdullah Hashim. Authorities noted that there is currently no evidence or suggestion of criminal or legal wrongdoing on the part of Hashim himself.

Community Impact and Observations

Local residents provided eyewitness accounts of the chaos surrounding the raid. Key observations included:

• Attempted Evasion: Individuals were seen attempting to escape the property by crossing railway lines and jumping over residential fences.
• Police Intervention: Officers utilized pepper spray to subdue individuals attempting to bypass police cordons.
• Widespread Activity: Residents reported that the raid at Web House appeared to be part of a broader, coordinated effort, with multiple properties in the Crewe area being targeted simultaneously.

Procedural Outcomes

The primary objective of the police activity, beyond evidence collection, is the safeguarding of the residents. By securing the premises and removing individuals from the environment, authorities have created a space where those residing in the house can begin to provide testimonies and share their experiences with investigators.

Conclusion

The raid on Web House represents a complex, multi-faceted investigation into severe human rights abuses. While the operation has caused significant public concern and local disruption, the police have maintained a clear distinction between the criminal allegations—modern slavery, forced marriage, and sexual offenses—and the religious group’s institutional identity. The focus remains on the protection of vulnerable individuals and the gathering of evidence through the safeguarding process.