The government is facing a call for “nationwide injunctions” to stop Just Stop Oil (JSO) protesters disrupting the delivery of fuel to forecourts.
Labour demanded ministers intervene with similar measures imposed last autumn after Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain campaigners blocked major motorways, including the M25, other arterial routes and even the Port of Dover.
The party said it would make it easier for police to arrest those seeking to cause “misery for motorists”.
Hundreds of people have been detained since the JSO and affiliated activists began their action on 1 April – with more than 350 arrested at Grays in Essex alone, amid police complaints of “exceptionally dangerous” tactics by activists.
Activists have succeeded in delaying supplies by accessing loading areas and chaining themselves to infrastructure. Pic: JSO
The climate activists’ tactics have included chaining themselves to fuel infrastructure, including tankers.
They are demanding that the government commits not to boost UK energy security in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine via new oil and gas extraction.
JSO said: “Over 400 people have joined actions that have succeeded in stopping operations for up to 24 hours at a time at 11 critical oil terminals that supply fuel to hundreds of petrol stations across the Midlands and south of England.
“As many as one in three petrol stations are being reported as shut in the south of England due to the disruption caused by the actions.
“This is miserable, and our hearts go out to all those who are disrupted. No-one wants to be doing this, but it’s 2022 and right now there is a need to break the law so we are not guilty of greater crime, that of complicity with a great evil.
“We have no choice but to enter into civil resistance until the government announces an end to new oil and gas projects in the UK.”
Labour said it was unacceptable that drivers, already paying high prices for fuel, were facing problems getting fuel.
Shadow justice secretary Steve Reed said: “This is all happening on the government’s watch. They need to sort it out.
Activists have succeeded in delaying supplies by accessing loading areas and chaining themselves to infrastructure. Pic: JSO
“The Conservatives need to stop standing idly by and put an end to this disruption that is causing misery for motorists.”
A No 10 spokeswoman said: “We recognise the strength of feeling and the right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, but we won’t tolerate guerrilla tactics that obstruct people going about their day-to-day business.”
The spokeswoman added: “We fully support the police who are putting significant resource into their response to the demonstrations.”