'Tyre Extinguishers' reportedly deflating tyres on parked vehicles
Image posted on social media by the Tyre Extinguishers showing someone apparently deflating a tyre
A number of cars across the Chiswick area have reportedly had their tyres deflated by a group of activists calling themselves the Tyre Extinguishers.
The group’s stated aim is to make it impossible to own a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUVs) in urban areas of the UK. It is believed that they are a splinter group from Extinction Rebellion.
In a statement on its web site the group said that it was a group of ‘concerned citizens’ who were deflating tyres in well-to-do areas across the UK on the night of 7 March in what was described as a first wage of action. As well as Chiswick other areas in which SUVs were disarmed included Chelsea, Harley Street, Hampstead Heath, Notting Hill, Belgravia, Clapham, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Sheffield, Liverpool and Edinburgh. Notices were also left on cars describing them as ‘Gas Guzzlers.”
Marion Walker from The Tyre Extinguishers said, “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.”
A woman from Chiswick who owns an SUV said, “As a family we enjoy doing sports and activities together and some years ago decided to not to travel overseas for holidays but take breaks in the UK. The car we chose enables us to do this including ironically having a large bike rack at the back and we did look carefully at its emissions which are not particularly high compared to similar sized vehicles. The people who did this aren’t really interested in the planet but are on a power-trip because they want to enforce their will on others. We always have a foot pump in the car so if they want to let my tyres down I’ll be grateful for a chance to do a bit of extra exercise in the morning.”
An SUV is not necessarily a four wheel drive car but was developed in response to the popularity of the high driving position of the 4x4.
A Metropolitan Police said, "We are aware of a statement by Tyre Extinguisher alleging damage to vehicles at various locations in London by them.
"We ask that reports of this nature are made through the Met's website and we will assess these to establish whether offences have been committed.
"At this time, we are not aware of any investigations being launched."
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March 9, 2022
