FUEL FOR THOUGHT
Cops could BAN eco-warrior protests blocking fuel as ‘shortages’ spark huge queues
PRESSURE is mounting on cops to BAN fuel protests and immediately arrest the eco-warriors causing chaos for millions of drivers across Britain.
Ministers are being urged by Labour to slap immediate nationwide injunctions on Stop Oil protests after reports that one in three garages in the South of England have run dry.
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Hundreds of petrol stations across the country are reportedly closed due to the shortages, with the worst-hit areas in the south of England.
Rebels who are part of XR splinter group Just Stop Oil, set up blockades in Essex, Hertfordshire and Birmingham over the weekend.
Labour is demanding injunctions similar to ones that ministers slapped on Insulate Britain protesters when they blocked motorways last year in the name of climate change.
It would see the protests banned at oil terminals and across Britain's road network, making it easier to make arrests.
The Sun understands that the handful of protestors at three sites across the South West of England are able to cause chaos as the oil sites are on private land.
And the roads leading up to it are owned by local authorities, which do not fall under the Government's remit.
Around 1,200 pumps are affected south of Midlands today, according to the Fair Fuel UK Campaign, meaning chaos for millions ahead of the Easter weekend break.
But Brits are being urged not to panic buy, with fuel chiefs saying there is still plenty available.
Officers have made 338 arrests so far on the grounds of being in dangerous locations - but have to go through rigorous tick-box exercises first which takes time to do.
They were arrested for alleged offences including criminal damage, conspiracy to cause criminal damage and conspiracy to commit public nuisance.
Labour’s Steve Reed, Shadow Justice Secretary, raged: “Tory Ministers need to get on with their jobs.
“Motorists were already being hammered by prices at the pump, and now millions can’t even access fuel. This is all happening on the government’s watch. They need to sort it out.
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“The Conservatives need to stop standing idly by and put an end to this disruption that is causing misery for motorists.”
Today eco-warriors danced, sang and took part in yoga classes as they brazenly defended their blockades.
Extinction Rebellion activists marched through central London after protestors blocked oil facilities across the UK.
The group stopped traffic and handed out flyers and stickers to families who were enjoying the first day of the school holidays in London.
Along with a marching band the eco-mob gathered in Hyde Park before walking past the National History Museum and the Science Museum in Kensington.
In a tweet, Fair Fuel UK Campaign wrote today: "We are getting credible intelligence that 1 in 3 garages have run dry of petrol and/or diesel particularly in the south, because of the ‘stop oil’ amoebas."
Home Secretary Priti Patel this evening slammed the "selfish" eco-activists for causing the fuel chaos.
She said: "Hard-working people across our country are seeing their lives brought to a standstill by selfish, fanatical and frankly dangerous so-called activists.
"Keir Starmer's Labour Party repeatedly voted against our proposals that would have given the police extra powers to deal with this eco mob. The police have my full backing in doing everything necessary to address this public nuisance."
The majority of filling stations in Cambridgeshire were either closed or had long queues on Sunday morning as people tried to fill up.
The BP station in Ely, Cambridgeshire was closed and the Tesco petrol station also in Ely had long queues before they finally ran out on Sunday morning.
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Members of Just Stop Oil have been chaining themselves to pipes and hiding out underground in massive protests.
On the UK-wide demos, Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin said: "We cannot stand by while criminal acts are being committed, and lives are being put at risk, in the name of protest.
"We are not anti-protest. Our job is to preserve life and catch criminals, and that's what we're going to do.
"Today's protest is exceptionally dangerous due to where the protesters have located themselves within the site.
"Our officers have been diligent in ensuring that all protesters know the risks involved, and we've been working hard to minimise the dangers this morning.
"Put simply: we don't want anyone to get hurt."
The force has said that policing protests in Thurrock had cost Essex Police "in excess of £1 million";.
Warwickshire Police also said there will continue to be a "heightened police presence" over the coming days.
The pump closures come as the cost of petrol and diesel surpasses 150p per litre for the first time.
Find cheap fuel locally
The easiest way to find the cheapest forecourt in your area for petrol, diesel, super unleaded or premium diesel is by comparing prices using an online comparison site.
Website will list the cheapest filling stations in your area.
You need to register with the site, enter your postcode and tell it how far you're willing to travel for fuel (up to 20 miles) and what fuel type you're after.
It says it displays the most up-to-date figures across around 8,500 forecourts in the UK, although it is always worth checking locally as prices do change.
Of course, you don't want to travel too far to save a few pennies per litre or you'll end up offsetting your savings using extra fuel to drive there.
Also, keep an eye out for fuel discount promotions, particularly from supermarkets.
For example, earlier this month Morrisons offered customers 7p off every litre of fuel if they spent £40 in store.
These offers don't tend to hang around for long though, so you need to take advantage quickly if you see one.
Families are already facing pressure due to the cost of living crisis and rising energy bills, but now must fork out £83 to fill up a 55-litre car.
Speaking on Thursday, Assistant Chief Constable David Gardner, of Warwickshire Police, said: "I would like to reassure local people that we are making every effort to limit the impact on day-to-day policing across the rest of the county.
"As you would expect, we have contingency plans in place to deal with situations such as this.
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"Our officers are flexible in such circumstances and we also have prearranged plans in place to call on support from local forces.
"While we aim to clear disruption as quickly as possible we need to ensure the safety of everyone at the site so this can take time."
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