Police are on the scene at three incidents in Thurrock, where groups of people are protesting and blocking the roads.

Officers were called to the Navigator Fuel Distribution Centre, West Thurrock, at 3:50am this morning. Then a second call came alerting police to a similar situation in Askew Farm Lane in Grays.

Police officers are also now responding to reports from a depot on London Road in Purfleet.

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A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Six people have been arrested so far. Our officers are currently working to resolve the situation quickly and safely and nearby roads may remain closed as a part of this.

"We are urging any drivers to avoid the area and plan their journey accordingly. We appreciate your patience and understanding."

Several oil terminals have suspended operations after access roads were blocked by environmental group Just Stop Oil.

ExxonMobil UK, one of the country’s largest privately-owned underground oil pipeline distribution networks, confirmed demonstrations were under way at some of its sites on Friday.

Just Stop Oil said it blocked “10 critical oil terminals” across the UK with support from Extinction Rebellion.

Activists are sitting on roads preventing tankers from leaving the sites.

The group claimed that more than 30 young people climbed on top of tankers at Navigator Terminals Thames, Grays, Essex.

It listed seven of the locations as:

– Inter Terminals UK, Grays, Essex

– Navigator Terminals Thames, Grays, Essex

– Buncefield oil depot, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire

– Esso Birmingham Fuel Terminal, Birmingham, West Midlands

– Esso West London Terminal near Heathrow Airport, west London

– BP’s Hamble Oil Terminal, Southampton, Hampshire

– ExxonMobil’s Hythe Terminal, Southampton, Hampshire