A senior policeman has said that anyone taking part in coming fuel protests can expect officers to take a “four Es” approach: they will “engage, explain, encourage” but, if needs be, take “enforcement” action against demonstrators.

Chief Superintendent Norman Haslett was speaking after unionist politicians questioned the PSNI's approach towards demonstrators this week, with Jim Allister saying they had been “heavy handed” in comparison to the policing of other events, and Carla Lockhart saying she has “serious concerns about the consistency and proportionality of the response”.

Chief Supt Haslett also said that the organisers of any upcoming road convoys must heed the law governing parades in Northern Ireland, which includes the need to notify the Parades Commission.

They were all speaking ahead of an anticipated protest in Strabane today, with further protests rumoured to be in the offing next week.

placeholder image — Traffic at a standstill on one of the Ballygawley roundabouts during Tuesday's farmers fuel protest; more protests are expected

At least nine people were given fixed penalty notices in connection with fuel protests on Tuesday; however, the PSNI has yet to give an updated number, nor say how many people have been handed cautions.

Police are reviewing footage of the protests so far to see if anyone else should be prosecuted.

Meanwhile it was revealed that a scheme to give people £100 towards home heating oil costs will not be up and running until sometime in the summer.

It will be open to people on "an income-based benefit, a disability benefit or state pension" or with an income under £30,000.

Internationally, both Iran and the US today declared the Strait of Hormuz to be open again, causing the price of oil to tumble with a barrel of crude oil going from about $94 to about $84 during the course of the day.