Environmental campaigners deflate tyres of 20 SUVs in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Tyre Extinguishers targeted the vehicles in the early hours of Sunday morning

Author: Anna MackenziePublished 29th May 2022

Environment campaigners have deflated the tyres of around 20 sports utility vehicles (SUVs) in Edinburgh in a bid to "make it impossible" to own such cars in cities.

Edinburgh Tyre Extinguishers targeted the vehicles in the early hours of Sunday, 29 May.

It's after the group targeted around 100 vehicles in the capital the previous week, and around 50 in the weeks before.

The group says SUVs are "unnecessary" in the Scottish capital due to the availability of public transport.

The group operates across the UK and members estimate they have deflated tyres on around 4,000 vehicles in Brighton, Bristol and London.

A spokesman said: "We are defending ourselves against climate change, air pollution and unsafe drivers.

"We do this with a simple tactic: Deflating the tyres of these massive, unnecessary vehicles, causing inconvenience for their owners.

"Deflating tyres repeatedly and encouraging others to do the same will turn the minor inconvenience of a flat tyre into a giant obstacle for driving massive killer vehicles around our streets.

"We're taking this action because governments and politicians have failed to protect us from these huge vehicles. Everyone hates them, apart from the people who drive them.

Police describe actions as "reckless"

Police Scotland said they received several reports of tyres being deflated across the city.

Superintendent Mark Rennie condemned the behaviour as "reckless".

He said: "We have received a number of reports of vehicle tyres being deliberately deflated in the Edinburgh area.

"This is a reckless and potentially dangerous act which could put drivers and road users at risk.

"Inquiries are ongoing and we would encourage members of the public to call us immediately if they see anyone acting suspiciously close to parked vehicles.

"I would also urge all drivers to check their vehicle before setting off and to contact the police on 101 should they suspect their vehicle has been tampered with."

Hear all the latest news from across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk on the hour, every hour, at Forth 1. Listen on FM, via our Radio Forth app, on your DAB radio, online at Forth1.com, or say ‘Play Forth 1’ on your Smart Speaker.