Police say objects were thrown at them after officers broke up an illegal music event in a field.

Officers were called to reports of an unlicensed music events taking place off Forest Drive in Theydon Bois at 11pm overnight (Saturday June 5).

Up to 200 people were in attendance and a DJ was playing loud music through a sound system.

Police say they first tried to engage with the partygoers but were met with "hostility" and had things chucked at them

Fortunately, no officers were struck or injured.

Attendees then began to leave with crowds dispersing after 1am.

Police said by this time, crowds were "calm and compliant".

While in the field, officers seized a number of items including a set of decks, speakers and a generator.

One man was arrested on suspicion of a breach of coronavirus legislation.

Chief Superintendent Tom Simons said: "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.

"In this instance, thankfully no officers were injured and the attendees did eventually disperse when they were asked to do so and that is a credit to the officers who attended the scene and worked under very difficult circumstances.

"As a result of our initial investigations, we have seized a number of items of musical equipment and one man has been arrested.

"As you will appreciate, the investigation is in its early stages and where action is required, we will take it."