Police close petrol stations as tempers flare

Amid accusations that Government ministers had prompted panic by suggesting drivers stockpile petrol, police and fire services were called out to deal with the fall-out.

Labour leader Ed Miliband accused the Prime Minister of playing party politics with the threat of a strike, and called for an apology.

He said: "The Prime Minister is presiding over a shambles on petrol. In a delicate situation which demanded statesmanship, the Government showed partisanship.

"This is real life and ministers are out of touch with people sitting in queues as a result of their incompetence.

"Now the Prime Minister needs to get a grip and calm the situation."

One forecourt was closed by police in Southbourne, Bournemouth at 11am today after motorists argued over queue-jumping in a half-a-mile tailback of cars waiting to fill up.

Jason Babbe, 33, who was in the line of cars outside the Murco garage, said: "I queued up for an hour before I could fill up.
"While I was waiting I witnessed an argument between a taxi driver and another motorist and there were other rows going on with people taking pictures of each other on their mobile phones.

"As well as filling up their tanks people were filling up cans with petrol."
The Chief Inspector of Dorset Police, Nick Maton, advised drivers not to panic-buy petrol.
"The actions of some motorists in queueing irresponsibly at petrol stations is causing danger to other road users," he said.

"We have been taking action and have requested petrol stations to close temporarily in order to keep traffic flowing."

Firefighters were also called out to garages to deal with spillages caused by overfilling after senior fire officers warned Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude's call to fill jerry cans posed a hazard.