POLICE officers were in action in Thurrock early this morning in a bid to break up what appears to be a latest petrol protest near a Thurrock fuel terminal.

They have made 20 arrests.

A statement from Essex Police says: "Officers have acted quickly and arrested 20 people following reports of disruption at three locations in Thurrock this morning (Tuesday 23 August).

"We received reports from just after 6am onwards relating to people causing disruption in St Clements Way, Chafford Hundred railway station, and an industrial site at Askew Farm Lane.

"So far 18 people have been arrested – 10 at the site in St Clements Way and eight at Chafford Hundred Railway Station.

"At the site in Askew Farm Lane, we are responding to reports of people at height and this may require specialist equipment to bring them down safely.

"Two people have been arrested.

Inspector Stuart Austin said: "We are working to resolve these situations as quickly and safely for all those involved.

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"We have plans in place to deal with incidents like these and have acted swiftly to deal with them and make 18 arrests so far.

"We are focussed on keeping the county moving and keeping you safe.

"Road disruption is currently minimal and I'd like to thank local drivers, workers, and business for their patience.

"I want to be clear: policing is not anti-protest but we must intervene where there is a risk to life or where laws are being broken."

And the search for possible participants in an event which is banned under an injunction taken out by Thurrock Council, spread into Grays town centre where more searaches were carried out on people stopped near the Morrisons store.

Updates to follow.