Police continue to identify those who attended unlicensed music event in Essex
It happened on New Year's Eve
Last updated 1st May 2021
Police have so far received information potentially identifying eight individuals, including one person who has come forward to self-identify and admit to the offence.
In a breach of the Government's Covid-19 regulations, hundreds of people attended the event at the All Saints Church on New Year's Eve.
At the time the event took place, the county was under Tier 4 regulations.
When officers arrived at the church, the doors were barricaded. When they got inside, they were verbally abused, spat at and had objects thrown at them.
Chief Inspector Ant Alcock, District Commander for Brentwood and Epping Forest, said:
“There were people behind the doors offering resistance, trying to prevent us getting in.
“There were drinks and objects thrown at officers, as a means of abuse and intimidation.
“There were a couple of hundred people in there and it wasn’t a comfortable place for officers or anybody to be in, being in that environment, on a dark hill in the middle of nowhere with that kind of aggression.
“Police officers are human beings too and we do our job to help people and keep them safe.
“Those who attended the event were selfish and had not thought of the risk of spreading Covid-19, nor had any respect for the historic building they were in.
“They were also diverting our officers from victims of crime and people who needed our help that night.
“In the weeks surrounding this event, officers from Brentwood had brought a vulnerable person to safety and imprisoned an arsonist who could have killed a number of people with their dangerous act. This is what we, and the public, want us to be doing.
“By following the rules and safety measures in place to limit the risk of spreading Covid-19, everyone can do their bit to keep each other safe and allow us to do the job we do best.”
Members of the public have generously donated nearly £25,000 to the church after a fundraiser was set up for £2,000 to put towards the clear up and repair bills.
The money has also been put towards additional security measures and the repair of a priceless stained-glass window damaged during the unlicensed event.
The Rev’d Canon Paul Hamilton said:
“I would like to express gratitude to Essex Police because they have been brilliant. We are very grateful to all the people who contributed time and money to restoring the church back to how it was.
“To those that broke into our church and messed it up, we extend the hand of forgiveness and friendship, but please don’t do anything that silly again.”
You can see the images of those who attended the event and Police would like to speak to on the Essex Police website.