A number of BP petrol stations in London were closed down Tuesday in protest against the oil giant's environmental policies, campaign group Greenpeace said, DPA reported.
The group claimed that it shut off fuel supplies at around 50 service stations by stopping the flow of fuel through flipping safety switches located on the forecourts and removing them.
BP gave the number of closed stations as 12 and said pumps would be reopened as soon as possible. A spokesman described the stunt as a "childish and irresponsible act" which was interfering with safety systems.
"Closed. Moving beyond petroleum," said protest signs attached to pumps. At one station, Greenpeace climbers replaced BP's sunflower logo with a version showing the green and yellow flower disappearing into a sea of oil.
Greenpeace said the protests were designed to urge BP to move away from its "obsession with high risk" and the "environmentally reckless" exploitation of sources of oil.