Five arrests after protests outside religious HQ

Five people have been arrested following a series of protests outside the headquarters of a religious group in Cheshire.

Webb House in Crewe was among three locations in the town which were raided by 500 police officers last month over alleged sexual offences and trafficking.

MP Connor Naismith said he supported people's right to peaceful protests but did not want to see these become violent in nature.

"I am also aware of individuals coming into Crewe from outside our area, and who have sought to use this incident as an excuse for using fascist, neo-Nazi language and imagery," he said.

"This is not acceptable and not what our community needs in this moment."

A total of 12 people have now been arrested as part of the initial police operation, over allegations of serious sexual offences relating to a woman who was previously part of the religious group.

An additional 25 people have also been charged with public order offences following the large-scale operation.

There have been growing tensions in the community since the raids, and politicians have praised the work of officers and called for calm.

Cheshire East Council leader Nick Mannion said the authority was continuing to support those affected.

"I'm sure everybody here will appreciate the work the council is undertaking is very sensitive," he said.

Addressing residents, he added: "I know some of you will be worried and concerned, some angry, some frightened."

He thanked council staff for their work and said he would share more information with the public in the coming weeks.

The latest arrests included a woman suspected of arson and men arrested over inflammatory language or behaviour.

Cheshire Police has consistently said that while the initial raids involved members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, they were not investigating the religion itself.

The five people arrested in connection with the protests are:

• A 22-year-old man from Crewe arrested on 5 May on suspicion of throwing a firework, who was subsequently released without charge
• A 60-year-old man from Crewe arrested on 9 May for using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour that were likely to stir up racial hatred. He has since been released on conditional bail
• A 26-year-old man from Sefton arrested on 9 May for using threatening behaviour with intent to stir up racial or religious hatred. He has since been released on conditional bail
• A 44-year-old man from Crewe arrested on 9 May for failing to comply with a dispersal order. He has since been released on conditional bail
• A 57-year-old woman from Crewe arrested on 9 May on suspicion of attempted arson. She has since been released on conditional bail

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