Cops could ban eco-warrior protests blocking fuel as ‘scarcity’ triggers huge queues

PRESSURE is mounting for police to ban fuel protests and immediately arrest the eco-warriors wreaking havoc on millions of motorists across the UK.

Ministers are being urged by Labor to issue immediate nationwide injunctions against Stop Oil protests after one in three garages in southern England reportedly ran dry.

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Hundreds of petrol stations across the country are reportedly closed due to shortages, with the worst-hit areas being in southern England.

Rebels, part of the XR splinter group Just Stop Oil, set up blockades in Essex, Hertfordshire and Birmingham over the weekend.

Labor is demanding injunctions similar to those ministers slapped on Insulate Britain protesters when they blocked motorways in the name of climate change last year.

It would result in protests being banned at oil terminals and across the UK road network, making it easier to make arrests.

The Sun understands the handful of protesters could wreak havoc at three sites in south-west England because the oil sites are on private land.

And the roads leading there are owned by local authorities, which are not under government jurisdiction.

Around 1,200 petrol pumps south of the Midlands have been affected today, causing chaos for millions ahead of the Easter weekend, according to the Fair Fuel UK Campaign.

But Britons are being urged not to panic buy as fuel chiefs say there is plenty still available.

Officers have so far made 338 arrests for being in dangerous locations – but first have to go through rigorous check box drills, which take time.

They were arrested for alleged offenses including criminal damage to property, conspiracy to cause damage to property, and conspiracy to commit public nuisance.

Labour’s Steve Reed, Shadow Justice Secretary, raged: “Tory ministers must get on with their jobs.

“Motorists have already been pounded by pump prices and now millions don’t even have access to fuel. This is all done under government supervision. You need to clarify.

“Conservatives must stop standing by and put an end to this disruption that is causing motorists suffering.”

Today, eco-warriors danced, sang and took part in yoga classes while brazenly defending their blocks.

Extinction Rebellion activists marched through central London after protesters blocked oil installations across the UK.

The group stopped traffic and handed out flyers and stickers to families enjoying the first day of the school holidays in London.

Joined by a marching band, the eco-mob gathered in Hyde Park before passing the National History Museum and Science Museum in Kensington.

In a tweet today, the Fair Fuel UK campaign said: “We are receiving credible information that 1 in 3 garages have run out of petrol and/or diesel, particularly in the South, due to the ‘stop oil’ amoebas.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel tonight 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 halt by selfish, fanatical and frankly dangerous so-called activists.

“Keir Starmer’s Labor Party has repeatedly voted against our proposals that would have given the police additional powers to deal with this eco-mob. The police have my full support to do whatever is necessary to address this public nuisance.”

Most petrol stations in Cambridgeshire were either closed or had long queues as people tried to fill up on Sunday morning.

The BP petrol station in Ely, Cambridgeshire was closed and the Tesco petrol station also in Ely had long queues before finally closing out on Sunday morning.

Just Stop Oil members chained themselves to pipes and hid underground during massive protests.

Speaking at the UK demonstrations, Essex Deputy Chief Constable Glen Pavelin said: “We cannot stand by and see criminal acts being committed and lives being put at risk in the name of protest.

“We are not against protests. Our job is to save lives and catch criminals and we will do that.

“Today’s protest is exceptionally dangerous due to the location of the protesters at the site.

“Our officers have been diligent in ensuring all protesters are aware of the risks involved and we worked hard this morning to minimize the dangers.

“Put simply, we don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

Police said the police protests in Thurrock had cost Essex Police “over £1million”.

Warwickshire Police also said there would continue to be an “increased police presence” in the coming days.

The pump closures come as the cost of petrol and diesel tops 150p a liter for the first time.

Families are already under pressure from the cost of living crisis and rising energy bills, but now have to shell out £83 to fill a 55-litre car.

On Thursday Deputy 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 in the rest of the county.

“As you might expect, we have contingency plans in place to deal with situations like this.

“Our officers are flexible in such circumstances and we also have plans to enlist support from the local armed forces.

“While we aim to resolve disruptions as quickly as possible, we need to ensure the safety of everyone on site so this may take time.”