HUGE crowds of demonstrators took over the streets of Basildon to fight Government Covid-19 rules - in a move described by police as a “clear and blatant” breach of regulations.

The group protested in Cherrydown East, on Saturday afternoon - with placards and signs.

Braintree and Witham Times:

A large number then moved to Sparrows Herne, where videos show the protest became violent with protesters breaching a police line and arrests being made.

Nine people were arrested during the day of disorder in which police officers were also attacked and suffered minor injuries.

Essex Police says six of those arrested have been released under investigation while three have been handed fines.

Demonstrators who were arrested included those from Palmers Green, London, Camberwell, Loughton, Hadleigh, Basildon, Benfleet, and Croydon.

Arrests were made in Sparrows Hearn, Broadmayne, The Gore, and Great Oaks, Basildon.

Braintree and Witham Times:

The angry protestors blocked roads and confrontations with police were filmed and widely shared online.

During the videos, protesters with megaphones were accusing officers of being heavy handed and encouraging residents to come out of their homes to join the march.

It came as Essex Police stepped up efforts to crack down on rule breakers across the borough by arresting revellers at an illegal event in the town.

Revellers were forced into police vans and arrested when officers were called to Audley Way, in Basildon, at about 3pm on Saturday.

A dispersal order was in place covering an area within the boundaries of Great Oaks and Southernhay as well as the Craylands testing facility at the junction with Churchill Avenue, and Basildon train station.

The unrest in Basildon came as demonstrators marched through streets of Bournemouth and Liverpool in fight against Covid restrictions while Essex Police also broke up an unauthorised music event in North Weald on Saturday.

That incident saw five people arrested and 12 fines dished out.

Rallies were held in Bournemouth and Liverpool, where a growing crowd chanted “freedom” as they marched.

Essex Police Superintendent Bonnie Moore said: “This was a clear and blatant breach of the Government’s Covid-19 regulations and those who took part have risked their health and those of their loved ones through the spread of the virus.

“Our approach to the Government’s regulations has always been to try to engage with people, explain the regulations, and encourage them to do the right thing.

“Sadly, [on Saturday] that was not successful and we had to take enforcement action.

“A number of our officers involved also reported being injured but, thankfully, their injuries are relatively minor.

“I know these are challenging times for everyone but we all have a responsibility to help keep each other safe.

“Having to deal with clear and blatant breaches of the regulations means having to take our officers away from dealing with other incidents and affects our ability to respond to other forms of crime.

“Most people across Essex are doing that and I thank you for it.

“It means we can spend more time doing what we do best – helping people, keeping people safe, and catching criminals.”