A religious group in Cheshire has been raided by police investigating allegations of sexual abuse, forced marriage and people trafficking.
Nine people were arrested when officers stormed three locations linked to the Crewe-based Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, including the headquarters on Victoria Avenue.
The Ahmadi religious community, which is said to be linked to a branch of Islam, are based at a former orphanage, Webb House, with around 150 people living at the property.
Cheshire Police said the alleged offences involved one victim, a woman, who was a member of the group at the time the offences occurred.
Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley said: "Our policing activity and ongoing, complex investigation relates to allegations of serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery.
"I must stress at this point, we are investigating those offences, and we are not investigating the religious group."
More than 500 officers from Cheshire Police and neighbouring forces were involved in the operation and the six arrested are four males and two females of American, Mexican, Italian, Spanish and British nationalities.
The nine suspects remain in custody as searches of the premises continue. A further 13 people have been arrested on suspicion of public order offences, which do not relate to the investigation.
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