Essex Police appeal: lockdown-flouting New Year's Eve party

Hundreds of selfish ravers attended a party in All Saints Church, East Horndon, on the evening of December 31, which was a clear and blatant breach of the Government’s Covid-19 regulations.

Detectives have released images of 130 people who are suspected of attending and say another seven attendees have potentially been identified thanks to eagle-eyed members of the public.

At the time, the county was under Tier 4 coronavirus regulations, a ‘major incident’ had been declared and residents had been unable to see their loved ones over the holiday period.

When officers arrived at the church, the doors were barricaded. Essex Police has reported that officers were verbally abused, spat at and had objects thrown at them, on entry.

All Saints Church, East Horndon. Photo: Essex Police

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.

District Commander Ant Alcock and Rev’d Canon Paul Hamilton

“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.

Drinks and damage the morning after the party in All Saints Church. Photo: Essex Police

“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.”

All Saints Church is over 700 years old and dates back to Tudor times.

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.

District Commander Ant Alcock and Rev’d Canon Paul Hamilton. Photo: Essex Police

The money has also been put towards additional security measures and the repair of a priceless stained-glass window damaged during the unlicensed music 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.

All Saints Church post clean-up. Photo: Essex Police

“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.”

If you recognise an individual, or know you attended the event, please contact Essex Police.

You can view the images and submit information online: www.essex.police.uk/ume.

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