Petrol panic begins to spread as oil prices rise

EMERGENCY powers to reserve fuel for essential users will be reviewed by ministers and oil companies today amid panic buying at petrol stations across the country.

Dozens of filling stations ran dry yesterday after bogus reports of weekend panic proved self-fulfilling when motorists rushed to join queues at the pumps. Hundreds more forecourts are expected to run out of fuel by lunchtime today despite concerted efforts by oil companies to calm the situation by denying that there was a problem.
Doctors, nurses and police officers, among others, will be reserved supplies under plans by a working group involving the oil industry, police and the Department of Trade and Industry. A minimum sale of fuel could also be imposed in an attempt to stop people buying small volumes

London Times