from the article:

> Mr Madderson said a government media leak on BP’s earlier decision to restrict fuel deliveries to about 100 of its 1,200 stations had been largely responsible for the mayhem.

> “That leak to a broadcaster has brought about the quite catastrophic situation we’re now in, where there is panic buying,” he said.

the UK has ~8500 petrol stations... around 1% had a shortage before the media amplified everything