Dorset police tell petrol stations to shut as fuel sales soar Dorset police this afternoon called for petrol stations to temporarily close where there is queueing and congestion because of panic buying. Police urged the public to not panic buy fuel amidst reports of congestion at petrol stations around the country. Sales of petrol and diesel across saw a dramatic spike as concerned motorists flocked to fill up their cars, and the row over government advice ahead of a possible fuel tanker strike, refused to die down. The Petrol Retailers Association, which represents around 5,500 outlets, reported a sharp rise in petrol sales of 81% with sales of diesel also up by 43%. The rise in prices comes against the backdrop of confused advice from the government on how motorists should prepare for the - as yet unconfirmed - tanker drivers' strike. Reports earlier in the week that the army might take over deliveries of petrol, followed by advice that drivers should fill up their vehicles and keep a jerry can of petrol in their garage, have led to the government being accused of creating a crisis and sparking panic buying. Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Federation, today gave his response to the government advice to stockpile petrol, telling Radio 4"s The World at One, This government appears intent on creating a crisis out of a serious concern. A spokesman for the Petrol Retailers Association, which represents around 5,500 outlets, also attacked the Government advice to keep vehicles filled up, and Minister Francis Maude's suggestion that the public should keep jerry cans in their garages saying, As the union concerned, Unite, would have to give seven days notice of any strikes - industrial action over the Easter period is looking increasingly unlikely. Some 90% of UK forecourts are supplied by about 2,000 drivers in the Unite union. AA president Edmund King also today criticized the government advice to stockpile, and blamed it for the fuel shortages and subsequent panic buying: There is no fuel tanker strike and therefore if drivers followed normal fuel buying patterns there would be no fuel shortage whatsoever. The Energy Minister, Ed Davey, today advised motorists to top-up their vehicles with fuel when they are half empty. Speaking to the BBC Mr Davey said, I think our major advice is that people just need to do the sensible thing if they're going into the petrol station, they should get a full tank of petrol, not a half-tank of petrol, and they should top up where necessary. This afternoon Dorset police called for petrol stations to temporarily close where there is queueing. Chief Inspector Nick Maton said: "There is no disruption to the fuel supply in the UK and members of the public should not panic buy. The actions of some motorists in queuing irresponsibly at petrol stations is causing danger to other road users. Police are taking action, requesting petrol stations to close temporarily in order to keep traffic flowing. Once the queues have dispersed, the petrol stations may reopen for short periods.