Nine arrested in London Greenpeace protest

LONDON: British police arrested nine Greenpeace campaigners on Wednesday who blockaded BP´s London headquarters with solar panels and oil barrels to mark the new boss´s first day at the energy giant.

The Metropolitan Police said the arrests were made outside the firm´s building in St James´ Square, central London, as part of a "proportionate policing plan".

They were detained for aggravated trespass, highway obstruction and conspiracy to commit a public nuisance. Around 100 activists launched the afternoon protest over BP´s impact on climate change, locking themselves to dirty oil barrels and unloading 500 solar panels at the site. The campaign group said they were promptly met by a "40-strong, heavy-handed police presence" but had managed "to peacefully block all six office doors around the building, preventing staff from entering". BP said it temporarily closed the office as a precaution.

New chief executive Bernard Looney, who spent his first day in the role visiting employees in Germany, "understands the frustration and anger of protesters in London", the company said. "He shares their deep concern about climate change and will set out his low carbon ambition for the company next week.