Eco-zealots claim they deflated tyres of 60 luxury SUVs in Edinburgh

Tyre Extinguishers strike in Edinburgh for the EIGHTH time as eco-activists deflate tyres on 60 SUVs overnight

• Tyre Extinguishers vigilante eco-group claim to have targeted dozens of SUVs 
• Activists deflated tyres of expensive vehicles in affluent Edinburgh suburbs
• Monday night marked the eighth such disruptive action in the Scottish capital 

Dozens of expensive SUVs parked in Edinburgh have had their tyres deflated overnight as part of a targeted campaign by eco-activists.

Around 60 vehicles, which were parked in affluent Marchmont and Bruntsfield suburbs of the Scottish capital, were last night targeted by a vigilante climate group describing themselves as the Tyre Extinguishers. 

Range Rovers, Mazdas and Volkswagens were among the expensive motors pictured with deflated tyres, thanks to the eco-zealots.

The protestors said the vehicles had been ‘made safe’ and that the areas boasted good public transport links and that there was no need to own a ‘tank’ – referring to the large SUVs.

A spokesman for the group said the vehicles are ‘a climate disaster’, adding: ‘The Tyre Extinguishers want to see bans on SUVs in urban areas, pollution levies to tax SUVs out of existence, and massive investment in free, comprehensive public transport.

‘But until politicians make this a reality, Tyre Extinguishers action will continue.’

Dozens of expensive SUVs parked in Edinburgh have had their tyres deflated overnight as part of a targeted campaign by eco-activists

Around 60 vehicles, which were parked in affluent Marchmont and Bruntsfield suburbs of the Scottish capital, were last night targeted by a vigilante climate group describing themselves as the Tyre Extinguishers

The protestors said the vehicles had been ‘made safe’ and that the areas boasted good public transport links and that there was no need to own a ‘tank’ – referring to the large SUVs

Monday night marked the eighth such action in the Scottish capital, with Tyre Extinguishers claiming to have secretive cells operating in more than a dozen countries around the world. 

In a post shared online, the eco-activists said of their protest: ‘Last night 60 SUVs were made safe in the Marchmont Bruntsfield areas of Edinburgh, Scotland.

‘These posh areas are in the middle of the city, with good public transport. There’s no need to own a tank in Edinburgh.’

Previously, the activists have opted to crudely target vehicles by using obstructive small objects, such as lentils, couscous or gravel, and pushing them into the valves of the tyres. 

The group describes itself as ‘leaderless’, and on their website they advertise their deflating methods and encourage people of all ages across the globe to join in their cause.  

The Tyre Extinguishers said its supporters have taken action in cities across Britain in an attempt to ‘make it impossible’ to own the vehicles in urban areas. According to the protest group, they have been operating for six months.

Tyre Extinguishers said they have targeted thousands of larger vehicles because SUVs are a ‘climate disaster, cause air pollution, are dangerous and are unnecessary’.

The eco-vigilantes have also said they make every effort to avoid targeting people with disabilities and business owners – but faced backlash after it emerged earlier this year that a Multiple Sclerosis sufferer in Bristol was among those whose cars had fallen victim to their protests.

Tyre Extinguishers have even hit out at those owning electric vehicles, prompting further ire at their ‘frustrating’ cause. 

SUVs feature elements of standard cars but are larger and have off-road capabilities such as high ground clearance.

Petrol and diesel-powered models are generally less fuel efficient than cars.

The group have demanded that the government introduce ‘bans on SUVs in urban areas, pollution levies to tax SUVs out of existence, and massive investment in free, comprehensive public transport.

Is deflating someone’s tyre a crime in the UK? 

Legal experts say that although prosecution is unlikely, the activists could actually be committing a criminal offence.

Laura Baumanis, a criminal defence solicitor at legal defence firm Olliers, told MailOnline: ‘Whilst it is extremely rare for someone to be prosecuted for letting the air out of a tyre, technically, it could be classed as criminal damage.

‘For this offence to be satisfied, any damage caused does not have to be permanent, but is made out by virtue of the fact that steps need to be taken, ordinarily at expense to the owner, for the item to be in a working condition again.’

Meanwhile, Matthew Nash, tutor at The University of Law, said if the driver failed to notice the flat tyre and drove away, more serious charges could be brought it they crashed.

He said: ‘Letting out air from someone’s tyres is clear criminal damage.

‘Although technically the tyre is not ‘damaged’, if you do something to someone else’s property and they need to do something to restore it, that is Criminal Damage within the meaning of the Criminal Damage Act.

‘It is possible that if they let the air out of someone’s types so as to cause an accident, there could be more serious charges depending on the resulting damage or injury.

‘It is also possible that there could be other offences if this were done to many cars at the same time.’

Multiple police forces earlier this year confirmed they had investigated multiple reports of criminal damage in Brighton, Liverpool and Cambridge. 

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