TWENTY-THREE people have been arrested after thousands of people attended a late-night rave in the countryside last night.

Thousands of ravers face police "action" after they were forced to leave the unlicensed music event in Steyning on Sunday morning when it was shut down by police.

Drone footage revealed the scale of the gathering, as camper vans and other vehicles were pictured lining the countryside for miles, as officers forced ravers to return home.

Twenty people have been arrested for on suspicion of offences including drink and drug driving, possession of drugs and theft.

Officers remain at the scene to "robustly deal" with people found to be committing crime.

Emergency services have also been met with hostility at the site, with one police officer being assaulted.

A second officer has also been injured in a collision with a vehicle being driven by someone leaving the event.

The driver has been arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink/drugs.

A spokesman for the force said: "Public safety, and the safety of our officers and fellow emergency services colleagues, remains our top priority.

"A direction to leave has been issued to those at the site. If this is not adhered to, and providing it is safe to do so, officers will move to shut down the event.

The Argus: One officer was injured in the crash One officer was injured in the crash

"At this time, 23 people have been arrested on suspicion of offences including drink and drug-driving, possession of drugs and theft, and have been taken into custody.

"A significant number of people have travelled to the site from areas outside of Sussex, and enquiries are ongoing to identify the organisers responsible for this unauthorised event so enforcement action can be taken against them.

"Officers remain at the scene and will continue to robustly deal with people found to be committing crime and behaving in an anti-social manner. Those leaving the event are being proactively stopped to ensure drivers are in a fit state to drive.

"There continues to be disruption on the road network in the area owing to a large number of badly parked vehicles, and people are still urged to avoid the area if possible."

The Argus: Camper vans and roof tents were snapped in the area Camper vans and roof tents were snapped in the area

Pictures taken from the scene show officers stopping cars as they leave the town, while others continue to disperse the crowd.

Dog handlers as well as the Incident Support Unit from the South East Coast Ambulance Service were also on scene.

The road closures caused widespread travel disruption to bus services, which were forced to terminate and restart from terminating and restarting from Bramber Castle.

The Argus: The incident provoked a large emergency response The incident provoked a large emergency response

A Brighton and Hove Buses spokesman wrote on Twitter: "Due to a police closure of the road leading into Steyning, our BH2 services are unable to serve Steyning at this time and as such, will be terminating and restarting from Bramber Castle until further notice."

Current coronavirus guidance limits gatherings to 30 people unless covered by legal exemption.

Anyone planning on attending the event is warned not to travel to the area and police said they will "taking action" against those found doing so.

Chief Superintendent Nick May said: “Our priority is ensuring the safety of the community and everyone in the vicinity.

“We have a significant number of officers at the scene working to bring the event to a safe and timely conclusion.

“This is an ongoing matter and we thank the public for their patience and cooperation at this time.”