CHESHIRE East Council does not have powers to remove the religious group living at Webb House in Crewe and stressed the police investigation is not into the religion itself but the serious allegations that were reported.
Council leader Nick Mannion (Macclesfield, Lab) told yesterday’s (Thursday) meeting of the cabinet, the authority was continuing to work with Cheshire Police after Webb House, which is the HQ of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) was raided by 500 police officers at the end of April.
This followed allegations of serious sexual offences, forced marriage, and modern slavery, reported to have taken place in 2023.
Cllr Mannion said: “Our priorities are to ensure that people affected by the operation are safe and are supported, and to deal with the matters that impact on our local residents and communities.
“We anticipate that this work will continue for some time to come.
“It also remains a live police investigation, and we are very limited on what information we are able to share at the moment.”
The council leader said it was understandable people had questions ‘but I’d ask everyone to respect the legal process’.
He added: “We will not tolerate intimidation or threatening behaviour towards council officers, councillors and, most importantly, the local residents who live in the neighbourhood.”
Cheshire East has set up a page on its website addressing some of the most frequently asked questions about the matter.
He said one question often asked was whether the council owned Webb House before AROPL bought the property.
“The answer to that is a categoric ‘no’. Webb House wasn’t owned and never has been owned by Cheshire East Council,” said Cllr Mannion.
“Another question that is often raised is why can’t the council remove AROPL from Webb House.
“The answer to that is Webb House is owned by them and is the home for members of that community.”
Again he stressed Cheshire Police had made it clear their investigation is not into the religious group itself.
The council leader said the page on the council’s website would be updated as the council is able to share information.
The website informs residents that the people arrested in relation to the serious allegations all have strict bail conditions which prevent them from returning to the area.
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