A NEW eco-warrior group has formed to further plague Britain’s motorists.
The self-dubbed ‘Tyre Extinguishers’ struck last night, claiming to have deflated hundreds of parked SUVs and leaving patronising notes on their windscreens.
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The mob says it aims to make it impossible to own one of the large vehicles in urban areas due to giving off “unnecessary luxury emissions flaunted by the wealthy”.
It describes SUVs as a “climate disaster, cause air pollution and make our roads more dangerous”.
But the environment activists are even targeting hybrid and electric vehicles – claiming they are “still polluting, dangerous and cause congestion”.
The so-called “concerned citizens” targeted well-to-do areas of Chelsea, Chiswick, Harley Street, Hampstead Heath, Notting Hill, Belgravia, Clapham, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Sheffield, Liverpool and Edinburgh in their first night of action.
Multiple drivers reported all four wheels being flat when they woke up this morning.
Others also found a calling card leaflet left on their windscreen saying “attention – your gas guzzler kills” – informing the SUV owner what had happened was “for their safety”.
The leaderless climate group encourages people to protest in their local area through instructions on its website on how to deflate tyres.
Marion Walker, from The Tyre Extinguishers, said in a statement: “Governments and politicians have failed to protect us from these massive unnecessary vehicles.
“SUVs are a climate disaster, they cause air pollution and are dangerous for other road users. Everyone hates them, apart from the people who drive them.
“Politely asking for climate action, clean air and safer streets has failed. It’s time for action.”
Were you targeted by the Tyre Extinguishers last night? Email [email protected]
The Tyre Extinguishers suggest SUVs are a “climate disaster” and more dangerous in the event of an accident due to their size
They also claim “air pollution is racist as people of colour live in areas more likely to be exposed to toxic air” while SUV drivers “tend to be richer and therefore tend to be white”.
Activists said it was “unacceptable” to own one as they “exist purely for the vanity of their owners, who see them as a status symbol”.
They are calling for SUVs to be banned in urban areas, pollution levies to tax the vehicles out of existence, and investment in public transport.
The group warned: “But until politicians make this a reality, Tyre Extinguishers action will continue.”
NOTE LEFT ON CARS IN FULL
“ATTENTION – your gas guzzler kills. We have deflated one or more of your tyres.
“You’ll be angry. But don’t take it personally. It’s not you. It’s your car.
“We did this because driving around urban areas in your massive vehicle has huge consequences for others.
“Car companies try to convince us we need massive cars. But SUVs and 4x4s are a disaster for our climate.
“SUVs are the second-largest cause of the global rise in carbon dioxide emissions over the past decade – more than the entire aviation industry.
“The world is facing a climate emergency. According to the UN, millions of people are already dying from climate change-related causes – drought, hurricanes, floods, forced migration, starvation.
“So far, the impacts on you have probably been minimal. We need emergency action to reduce emissions immediately. We’re taking actions into our own hands because our governments and politicians will not.
“Even if you don’t care about the impacts on people far away from you, there’s also consequences for your neighbours. SUVs cause more air pollution than smaller cars.
“SUVs are more likely to kill people than normal cars in collisions. Psychological studies show SUV drivers are more likely to take risks on the road. SUVs are unnecessary, and pure vanity.
“That’s why we have taken this action. You will have no difficulty getting around without your gas guzzler, with walking, cycling or public transport.
“Driving a hybrid or electric? These are still polluting, dangerous and cause congestion. See more on our website.”
It comes just months after Insulate Britain caused chaos on the motorways by recklessly running in front of traffic and gluing their hands to the road.
Sussex Police is appealing for CCTV footage which could help their investigation after multiple drivers reported their cars had been targeted.
Cars parked in five roads near a school in Green Party constituency Brighton were hit by the eco warriors during the early of hours.
A spokesman for the force said: “On Tuesday morning (March 8) police received multiple reports from the Brighton area from members of the public who found the tyres on their cars had been deflated.
“It’s thought the vehicles in Balfour Road, The Drive, Lowther Road, Maldon Road and Newells Close were targeted during the early hours of the morning.
“Enquiries are ongoing, and anyone with information or who has video footage from the area which could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to police online or call 101 quoting serial number 111 of 08/03.”
Police Scotland was making enquiries to “establish if there is any criminality involved” after flat tyres were reported in The Grange area of Edinburgh.
A force spokesperson said: “Officers have received reports of tyres being deliberately deflated in The Grange area of Edinburgh on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish if there is any criminality involved.”
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