14 NGOs ask the British authorities to put an end to intimidation, harassment, and violence.
by Bitter Winter
June 17, 2026
To the relevant authorities,
We, the undersigned NGOs, academics, and advocates for human rights and religious freedom, write to express our deep concern regarding the escalating pattern of harassment, violence, and targeted intimidation directed at members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) in Crewe—particularly at Webb House—and increasingly at other locations where members reside.
The events documented since the police raid of 29 April 2026 reveal a sustained breakdown of public order around Webb House and a failure to ensure the safety of a vulnerable minority community. What began as online misinformation rapidly evolved into coordinated, racially and religiously motivated aggression. The situation now requires a significantly stronger and more consistent police response.
Several incidents illustrate the gravity of the threat:
• On 3–4 May, protesters—many mobilized through TikTok livestreams—threw objects including metal poles, stones, and even a washing machine over the fence. A security guard suffered a deep head laceration after being struck by a concrete block.
• On 9 May, a woman attempted to set fire to a tarp at the front gate and was later charged with an arson‑related offense. Another fire was set at the bush line on the front fence. Racial slurs, xenophobic chants, and the display of a “Remigration Now” banner underscored the ideological nature of the hostility.
• On 10 May, individuals followed vehicles, posted license plates online, and shouted anti‑Islamic slurs at members and guards by name—indicating doxxing or targeted surveillance.
• In the night between 1 and 2 June, a pregnant AROPL member living away from Crewe was surrounded at her temporary residence after her address was leaked online. Police advised her to flee immediately for her safety.
These episodes form part of a sustained campaign of intimidation involving minors and adults, online incitement, trespassing, physical assaults, arson attempts, and the systematic targeting of identifiable individuals. Members now report being followed, filmed, and harassed in public, and many no longer feel safe leaving their homes.
We recognize the efforts of individual officers on the ground. However, the scale, persistence, and organized nature of the hostility require a more robust and proactive policing strategy. The current level of protection is insufficient to prevent further harm.
We therefore respectfully request:
1. A continuous and visible police presence around Webb House for as long as the threat level remains elevated.
2. Rapid‑response protocols for incidents involving AROPL members, including at private residences.
3. Active monitoring and intervention against online incitement that translates into real‑world violence.
4. Clear communication and coordination with community representatives to ensure that threats are promptly reported and addressed.
5. Protection measures for individuals who have been doxxed or specifically targeted, including safe‑exit procedures and temporary relocation support where necessary.
6. Guarantee freedom of worship and assembly, including at Webb House.
The right to safety, dignity, and freedom from harassment is not conditional on popularity or public misunderstanding. It is a fundamental obligation of the state toward all who reside within its jurisdiction. The situation has already escalated to levels that place AROPL members at serious risk. Without decisive action, further harm is not only possible but foreseeable.
We urge the authorities to act swiftly and decisively to prevent further violence and to uphold the principles of equality, religious freedom, and the rule of law.
Respectfully,
Alessandro Amicarelli, President, FOB – European Federation for Freedom of Belief
Raffaella Di Marzio, Managing Director, LIREC – Center for Studies on Freedom of Religion, Belief, and Conscience
Willy Fautré, Co-founder and Director, HRWF – Human Rights Without Frontiers
Massimo Introvigne, Co-founder and Managing Director, CESNUR – Center for Studies on New Religions
Camelia Marin, Deputy Director, Soteria International
Eva Miskelova, Executive Secretary, Central Europe Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief
Hans Noot, Director, Gerard Noodt Foundation for Freedom of Religion or Belief
Marco Respinti, Director-in-Charge, “Bitter Winter,” a daily magazine on freedom of religion and human rights
Eric Roux, Chairman, EIFRF – European Inter-Religious Forum for Religious Freedom
Rosita Šorytė, President, ORLIR – International Observatory of Religious Liberty of Refugees
Thierry Valle, President, CAP-LC – Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience
René Wadlow, President, Association of World Citizens
Martin Weightman, Director, All Faiths Network
Peter Zoehrer, Executive Director, Forum for Religious Freedom Europe (FOREF)
Endorsed by Nina Hammill and Owen Evans, local residents, Crewe
