DJ kit seized after hundreds head to Covid-defying rave in Epping Forest

Essex Police have broken up an illegal rave in a field with around 200 people breaching coronavirus rules.

The force says objects were thrown at officers as they arrived at Theydon Bois shortly before 11pm last (Saturday) night.

The event took place in a field off Forest Drive, with a DJ playing loud music through a sound system.

The police say when officers first arrived, "they were met with some hostility and had objects thrown at them", but no officers were struck or injured.

They add that around this time, "some attendees began leaving the area and shortly after 1am the music was turned off and larger crowds began to leave."

Chief Superintendent Tom Simons says “Essex Police does not tolerate attacks, no matter how minor, upon officers who are just doing their job by responding to incidents reported to them by the public."

Seized

By around 1am, the people still at the event were said to be friendly, calm and compliant.

Among the items seized by officers are a set of decks, speakers and a generator.

The police say they arrested one man on suspicion of a breach of coronavirus legislation.

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• theydon bois
• essex
• epping forest