LOCKDOWN advocates have furiously blasted rule-breaking ravers after police had to shut down an illegal event over the weekend.

Essex Police officers received reports of roughly 100 people gathering on land off Buckingham Hill Road, in Stanford-le-Hope, at 10.50pm on Saturday.

The force attended and found a large group of people who dispersed as soon as officers arrived.

Music equipment was seized following the raid and officers are now working to identify those who attended.

Once they are caught they will be issued with fixed penalty notices for breaching the Government’s Covid-19 regulations.

Echo:

Chief Inspector Richard Melton has now vowed the force would not let the easing of lockdown restrictions be used as an excuse for breaking the rules which remain in place.

He said: “We will continue to respond to reports of clear and blatant breaches of the regulations like this unlicensed music event.

“The people who attended left the scene when they saw our officers arrive.

"We are now working to identify those who were there in order to issue them with fines for breaching the Covid-19 regulations.

“If everyone keeps playing their part we can stay focussed on catching criminals.

“It’s what we’re here for and we know it’s what you want us to do.

“Thank you to everyone in Essex who’s doing the right thing.”

Law-abiding residents lambasted the rule-breakers for flouting lockdown restrictions by "inconsiderately" attending a mass unlicensed gathering during a pandemic.

Adam Whitehead, a freelance audio engineer and bus driver  said: “Why don’t these idiots learn to respect the rules?

“Then when July comes, we can have these gatherings.”

Echo reader Lindsey Miller-Tagg has an equal disdain for those who attended the illegal event.

She said: “What is wrong with these idiots? Do we really want or need another lockdown?”

Police are asking anyone with information about the rave to call the force on 101 or visit essex.police.uk.

Crimestoppers can also be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.