MORE than 100 people gathered at a music event at a site off Buckingham Hill Road between Stanford-le-Hope and Linford last night.

The event was broken up by police officers who seized music equipment.

A statement from Essex Police says: "We received reports of around 100 people on land off Buckingham Hill Road at around 10.50pm yesterday (Saturday, 3 April).

"We attended and found a large group of people who dispersed as officers arrived.

"Music equipment was seized and we are working to identify those who attended in order to issue them with fixed penalty notices for breaching the Government's Covid-19 regulations."

Chief Inspector Richard Melton said: "We will continue to respond to reports of clear and blatant breaches of the regulations like this unlicensed music event.

"Even though 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.

"Over the Easter bank holiday weekend officers and staff will be carrying out additional patrols across the county to keep you safe and respond to your calls for help.

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"If everyone keeps playing their part we can stay focused 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. If you have any concerns you can talk to one of our officers or contact us 101."

If you have any information you can submit a report online here where you can use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am and 11pm.

You can also call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.