Updated: 17:46, 30 June 2022 Motorists may face disruption on major roads in Suffolk and Essex on Monday, following plans to protest rising fuel prices on social media. Protesters plan to block the A12 in Colchester during rush hour as part of the “Stand Up to Fuel Prices” campaign across the UK. A poster for the demonstration urged protesters to meet at Colchester United Stadium at 6 a.m. Monday to block the A12 from 7 a.m. The organizers reminded the participants to “leave space between the cars for the emergency services to pass”. Essex police said they were aware of the possible protest and had made plans “to minimize the disturbance”. A spokesman for the force said: “We have been informed of posts on social media related to a possible protest on Monday, July 4th. Protesters plan demonstration on A12 against high fuel prices – Credit: PA “We are monitoring the event and have made plans to minimize the inconvenience, keep people safe and keep Essex moving.” Social media posts about possible street protests in Suffolk have also been circulating on social media. A Suffolk police spokesman said: “We are aware of discussions on social media platforms about a planned national protest against the cost of fuel on July 4 and that includes such activity on the streets of Suffolk. “The police department has carefully evaluated this planned activity and has the appropriate answers.” Meanwhile, fuel theft from UK service stations has reached record levels amid a spike in pump prices. The industry body, the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), said removal cases – where a driver fills up and does not try to pay before leaving – have increased by 61% so far this year, compared to the same period in 2021. Essex police say they are aware of the planned protest against rising fuel prices – Credit: Archant PRA chief executive Gordon Ballmer described the number of thefts as “crossing the roof” with “10 incidents a day” reported. There was also an explosion in verbal abuse of courtyard staff by drivers angry at pump prices. Darren Briggs, CEO of the Ascona Group, which has 59 service stations across the UK, including one in Saxmundam, said: “We have seen a huge increase in suburban staff abuse. “We receive reports almost every week from customers who are quite abusive because of what they see on the pole sign.” He added: “It is difficult out there to explain to customers how the market works.” Data from the data company Experian show that the average price of a liter of gasoline in the strongholds of the United Kingdom reached the new high of 191.2 a.m. on Tuesday. The average price of diesel was 199.0 p per liter, a fraction of a penny below the record of 199.1 p per liter on Saturday.
