The self-proclaimed eco-activist vigilante group, Tyre Extinguishers, asserts that they have once again deflated the tyres of an 50 SUVs in Edinburgh. These guerrilla eco warriors specifically targeted vehicles in the affluent New Town area on Sunday, February 18, and promptly took to social media to boast about their actions.
On X (formerly Twitter), Tyre Extinguishers posted: "EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND: 50 SUVS MADE SAFE IN NEW TOWN AREA LAST NIGHT. Edinburgh TX are back at it again, undeterred, with their first strike of 2024, hitting the posh New Town area. In the New Town, you can get the bus, tram, or walk to the city centre. Why do you need a tank?"
A spokesperson for Police Scotland stated, "Around 9 am on Monday, 19 February 2024, we received reports of two vehicles having had their tyres deliberately deflated in the New Town area of Edinburgh. Enquiries are ongoing into the incidents. Deliberately deflating tyres is reckless and dangerous and could put drivers and other road users at risk. We'd 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."
Since 2022, the group has targeted hundreds of SUVs in various areas of Edinburgh, including Leith, Portobello, Hillside, Marchmont, Bruntsfield, and New Town. As a global organization, Tyre Extinguishers aim to make SUV ownership “impossible,” branding them as a “climate disaster,” “dangerous,” and “unnecessary.”
Members of the group employ the tactic of deflating tyres by inserting small objects, like lentils, into the valves. They also leave informational leaflets on the targeted cars, explaining, “We do this because driving around urban areas in your massive vehicle has huge consequences for others.” SUVs, characterised by their larger size and off-road capabilities, often have lower fuel efficiency, especially in petrol and diesel-powered models. Tyre Extinguishers argue that even electric and hybrid SUVs are considered “fair game” due to insufficient rare earth metals for a complete replacement and the perceived ongoing danger to other road users.
