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Fight breaks out at petrol station as tempers flare amid panic buying

There were ugly scenes in Chichester as drivers queued for hours to get fuel
There were ugly scenes in Chichester as drivers queued for hours to get fuel (Picture: Ben Lack)

Fighting broke out on a forecourt amid chaotic scenes at UK petrol stations as drivers ignored warnings not to panic buy.

Tempers flared in Chichester, West Sussex, last night after motorists endured long waits to fill up.

Footage posted online reportedly showed a father and son scrapping with another father and son on the forecourt.

Several punches are thrown and two of the men wrestle each other to the ground. the film shows.

It is not clear what caused the fight to break out in the first place but onlookers shout ‘is there no diesel left?’ as the men exchange blows.

Petrol stations have been swamped with panic buyers for two days since BP announced it was having to ration some fuel deliveries due to a shortage of HGV drivers.

People have been repeatedly urged to fill up as normal but mile-long queues have built up and many more petrol stations have been forced to close due to unprecedented demand.

Frustrated drivers have also been seen honking their horns while sitting in the long queues.

Copyright Ben Lack Photography Ltd 'Everybody was a kung fuel fighting' A mass brawl breaks out at an Esso fuel station as the mad rush for petrol spills over into a violence. Pic Ben Lack 07970 850611 ??150 minimum use, irrespective of any previous use. ??50 for internet use, irrespective of any previous use.
Those involved were reportedly a father and son fighting another father and son (Picture: Ben Lack/YappApp)

There have also been confrontations after some chose to not only fill up their tanks but also jerry cans they had brought along.

Some companies have introduced £30 limits on all customers to ensure there is enough fuel to go around.

Meanwhile, the UK Petroleum Industry Association has said distributors are working hard to replenish stocks.

The group, which is the trade association for the UK downstream oil sector, has said there are no issues with ‘production, storage or import of fuels’.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by REX/Shutterstock (12465737e) Queues of cars form behind a petrol tanker as it refuels the BP garage in Waltham Abbey, Essex this afternoon as panic buying sees queues forming throughout the country. Petrol stations run ou of fuels amid panic buying, Waltham Abbey, Essex, UK - 25 Sep 2021
The queue at this BP garage in Waltham Abbey, Essex stretched all the way up the road (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

In a statement on Saturday, a spokesperson said: ‘There has been an increase in demand for fuels this week which is above and beyond what is usual.

‘There are no reported issues with the production, storage, or import of fuels while distributors are working hard to replenish stocks at forecourts.

‘Customers should continue to buy fuel as they would normally.’

Earlier on Saturday, Edmund King, the head of the AA, said issues surrounding fuel should pass in a matter of days if drivers just stick to filling up when they need to, adding ‘there is plenty of fuel at source’.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Out of service signs on fuel pumps at a Shell garage which is out of all fuel on September 25, 2021 in Grove Park, London, United Kingdom. BP and Esso have announced that its ability to transport fuel from refineries to its branded petrol station forecourts is being impacted by the ongoing shortage of HGV drivers and as a result, it will be rationing deliveries to ensure continuity of supply. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)
Problems are being exacerbated by panic buying (Picture: Getty Images)

Mr King said the shortage had been exacerbated by ‘people going out and filling up when they really don’t need to’.

‘If you think about it, 30 million cars out there, if they’ve all got half a tank (and) if they all rush out to fill up the rest of the tank and the tank is about 60 litres, that will put a strain on the system,’ he said.

Mr King said the issues were unlikely to last because the supply chain is not being disrupted by ongoing problems such as industrial action.

MORE : Panic buying is causing queues at petrol stations, not shortages

MORE : Angry drivers honk horns as two mile petrol queue brings road to standstill

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