POLICE have ordered a dispersal zone over fears of an illegal rave in Hockley Woods. 

The order was put in place shortly before 10pm last night and runs until 8am tomorrow.

Officers went to the area and ordered a group of people to leave.

Essex Police have taken action against other illegal raves across Essex this weekend.

The mass gatherings would breach Covid-19 resrictions. 

The order gives officers the power to direct anyone in the area pictured on the map below to leave and not to return for the period the order’s in place to reduce the likelihood of members of the public being harassed, alarmed or distressed or there to be crime or disorder.

Echo: The area covered by the dispersal zoneThe area covered by the dispersal zone