Posted: 4:09 PM, June 30, 2022
Updated: 17:46 on June 30, 2022
Motorists could face disruption on major roads in Suffolk and Essex on Monday after plans for demonstrations against rising fuel prices were circulated on social media.
Protesters plan to block the A12 in Colchester during the morning rush hour as part of the UK’s ‘Tackling Fuel Prices’ campaign.
A poster for the demonstration called for protesters to gather at Colchester United’s stadium at 6am on Monday to block the A12 from 7am.
Organizers reminded participants to “leave space between cars for emergency services to pass through.”
Essex Police said they were aware of the potential protest and had made plans “to minimize disruption”.
A spokesman for the force said: “We have been made aware of posts on social media relating to a potential protest on Monday 4 July.
Protesters plan demonstration on A12 against high fuel prices – Credit: PA
“We are monitoring the event and have made plans to minimize disruption, keep people safe and keep Essex moving.”
Social media posts about potential road protests in Suffolk are also circulating on social media.
A spokesman for Suffolk Police said: “We are aware of discussions on social media platforms relating to the planned national protest against fuel costs on the 4th of July and this includes such activity on the roads in Suffolk.
“Police have carefully assessed this planned activity and have appropriate responses in place.”
Meanwhile, fuel thefts from UK petrol stations have hit record levels amid a surge in pump prices.
Industry body the Petroleum Retailers Association (PRA) said drive-away incidents – where a driver fills up and makes no attempt to pay before leaving – have increased by 61% so far this year compared to the same period in 2021.
Essex Police said they were aware of a planned protest against rising fuel prices – Credit: Archant
PRA chief executive Gordon Ballmer described the number of thefts as “through the roof” with “10 incidents a day” being reported.
There has also been a spike in verbal abuse of frontline park staff from motorists angry at the pump prices.
Darren Briggs, chief executive of Ascona Group, which owns 59 petrol stations across the UK, including one in Saxmundham, said: “We have had a huge increase in staff abuse at forecourt level.
“We get reports almost every week of customers who are quite offended by what they see on the pole sign.”
He added: “It’s hard to explain to customers how the market works.”
Figures from data firm Experian showed the average price of a liter of petrol in UK suburbs hit a new high of 191.2p on Tuesday.
The average price of diesel was 199.0p a litre, a fraction of a penny below the record of 199.1p a liter set on Saturday.
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