Tyre Extinguishers Bristol: Activists deflate tyres of SUVs in campaign to ban the vehicles

Activists deflated hundreds of SUV tyres in more than 13 areas in the UK, including Bristol, last night (March 7) - and are encouraging other people to join them in their climate campaign.

Supporters of the The Tyre Extinguishers campaign group targeted the sports utility vehicles and left notes on the windscreens stating ‘your gas guzzler kills’.

The group say SUVs cause more pollution than ordinary vehicles and are more likely to kill when involved in a collision with a pedestrian.

On its first action as part of a serious of protests, it says it wants to ‘make it impossible to own an SUV in the UK’s urban areas’.

As well as Bristol, the group said it had targeted vehicles in London, Brighton, Cambridge, Sheffield, Liverpool and Edinburgh.

Explaining the action, Marion Walker from the campaign 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.

“Politely asking for climate action, clean air and safer streets has failed. It’s time for action.”

The group said it wants to see a ban on SUVs in urban areas, pollution levies introduced to tax SUVs out of existence, and more investment in public transport.

And it is calling on other people to join them.

Its website provides instructions on how to deflate an SUV tyre, describing the tactic as causing inconvenience and expense for owners.

It states: “Deflating tyres repeatedly and encouraging others to do the same will turn the minor inconvenience of a flat tyre into a giant obstacle.”

Avon and Somerset Police has been approached for comment.

Have your car tyres been deflated last night? Let us know by emailing the newsdesk at [email protected]