THE Home Secretary has called on police to use tough new powers to stop fuel protesters bringing gridlock to major routes.

New measures to tackle non-violent demonstrations which have a significant disruptive impact on the public came into effect on June 28 as part of changes to the law.

On Monday, protesters joined the A12 junction 28 at Colchester’s JobServe Community Stadium as a “go-slow” campaign took place from 7am.

A Home Office source told the Daily Mail that Witham MP Priti Patel would “encourage” the police to use fresh powers available to them to tackle such incidents.

The source said: “Through our Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act, we have given the police a wealth of powers to deal with disruptive and damaging protests, including imprisonment and unlimited fines for those blocking a highway – actions which inflict further pain on those affected by rising prices.

“The Home Secretary would encourage and support the police to make use of all the powers available to them. Forces need to move people on.

“These protests are blocking people from getting to work and from carrying out other vital journeys – this is not about whether you believe in the cause or not.”