Climate activists have prevented motorists from entering forecourts and sabotaged petrol pumps at two motorway services in southeast England.
Climate group Just Stop Oil said on Thursday that 35 of its supporters have blocked petrol stations at two motorway service areas on the M25.
The activists smashed display glass on the petrol pumps and covered it in spray paint after stopping motorists from entering forecourts at Cobham Services in Surrey and Clacket Lane Services in Kent at 7 a.m.
Police said they have arrested eight people on suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass.
The group described the sabotage of petrol pumps as “a significant escalation” of its protest actions against the use of fossil fuels.
It said it will “continue the disruption until the government makes a statement that it will end new oil and gas projects in the UK.”
In a statement, Surrey Police said the force is currently dealing with protesters at the two sites.
“Officers were called around 7.02 a.m. following reports that a group of protesters had turned up at Clacket Lane and were gluing themselves to pumps and signs on the petrol station forecourts. They were also blocking access to the pumps,” police said in a statement.
“A further call was received around 7.06 a.m. that protesters were on site at Cobham Services petrol station and were damaging the pumps. One of the protesters had also glued himself to the top of a lorry.”
Police said the petrol pumps have all been switched off and motorists are being diverted away from both service stations.
In an update issued just after mid-day, the force said: “Eight people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass.”
“Further arrests are likely to be made throughout the day as officers with specialist removal equipment are working to ensure that all protesters are removed safely,” it added.
The move is reminiscent of Insulate Britain’s protests between September and November last year, when M25 junctions were repeatedly blocked.
Just Stop Oil began its protests on April 1.
It has carried out a series of blockades of fuel terminals in south-east England and the Midlands, and targeted several high-profile football matches.
More than 1,000 arrests have been made.
Ten supporters arrested outside Kingsbury oil terminal on Wednesday are due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
They are charged with contempt of court relating to an injunction granted to North Warwickshire Borough Council which prohibited protests at the site.
