A climate activism group calling themselves The Tyre Extinguishers deflated hundreds of SUV tyres across the UK on Monday night in a protest against the polluting “killer vehicles”.
The stunt, which the group said was the “first in a new wave of protest”, was taken to discourage the use of 4×4 cars in urban areas with the ultimate aim of making it “impossible” to own one.
Marion Walker, group member, said “politely asking” for climate action had failed, prompting The Tyre Extinguishers to take action.
Tyres were deflated in several locations across London, including Hampstead, Notting Hill and Chelsea, while SUVs were also hit in Brighton, Sheffield, Liverpool, Bristol, Cambridge and Edinburgh.
The group says on its website that they are targeting “post / middle-class areas” and has posted a guide on its website with instructions on how to spot and deflate SUV tyres.
Alongside these instructions, the group has produced a leaflet for placing on the cars after the tyres have been deflated, explaining why the action has been taken.