Pumps may be under guard if crisis continues

Police officers fear they could be drafted in to guard the pumps if the fuel crisis is not resolved in coming days.

Forecourts across the country have witnessed ugly scenes as motorists queuing for petrol have clashed.

In one incident in Welling, south-east London, a man appeared to pull a knife on another driver as tensions boiled over. There have been violent scenes elsewhere, with drivers accusing each other of jumping queues or taking too much fuel.

The problems have been exacerbated by social media reports of fresh deliveries causing drivers to flock to one particular outlet. Police leaders expressed concern that, if the problem continued to escalate, officers could be required to man petrol stations around the clock in order to keep the peace.

During the fuel blockade crisis in 2000, police were called in to guard the pumps and provide escorts to tankers making deliveries.

Brian Booth, the chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Federation, said that if the crisis did not recede the police might be called upon again, reducing their capacity to fight crime elsewhere.

‘‘It’s not too bad at the moment,’’ he said, ‘‘but quite a lot of stations have now run out and the situation may change if they are not filled up quickly, especially when deliveries are due.

‘‘If it is not resolved soon, I can foresee a similar situation to the last fuel crisis, when officers were policing the pumps. That could have a significant impact on resources.’’

Meanwhile, police have appealed to the public to stop calling them to report queues at petrol stations.

Essex Police said they had received more than 100 calls from people frustrated about congestion around garages, but warned people that unless a crime had been committed it was not a matter for them. Lincolnshire Police reported people dialling 999 and asking for a list of places where fuel was available. –