Anger after SUVs have tyres deflated by activists

Owners of some sports utility vehicles (SUVs) in north London have said their car tyres were deflated by an environmental group.

A leaflet left on the vehicles by the group Tyre Extinguishers, in Islington on Tuesday, said SUVs and 4x4s were "a disaster for our climate".

One resident said she had been trying to get to her mother in end-of-life care when she discovered all four tyres had been deflated.

Tyre Extinguishers has not yet responded to a request to comment, but on its website, the group describes itself as a "leaderless, autonomous movement of groups that act independently".

The Metropolitan Police said it was looking into the reports.

The activist group has been known to target cars in London and across the country for a number of years.

Residents reported that cars were targeted on a number of streets in Islington this week, but the exact number of cars affected is not known.

Jo, who did not want to give her real name, told the BBC she had been left "devastated" by the group's action.

In an email to Tyre Extinguishers, seen by the BBC, she said: “You deflated my tyres without knowing who I am and my status in life.

"My mother is in palliative care and I came to the car to go to her, but because of your vicious act, I am stuck trying to reinflate my tyres!"

Jo said the incident had caused "emotional and psychological harm".

She told the BBC the car had been chosen specifically as it had helped her to transport her mother in recent months.

A number of other residents took to the local Islington Facebook group to share their own experiences.

One said his car had been parked "in the dedicated disabled bay outside our house".

"The reason I have a big car is because my son uses a wheelchair and we often have to have a carer in the car with him too," he said.

"I have contacted the police" he added.

Another resident said she was a local healthcare worker for the NHS, adding: "I have few elderly client in Highbury who needs help!

And added: "You ruin my day because what you did to my car!"

Owners of a local car-parts shop, Autoparts, told the BBC they had seen more people than usual coming in to buy tyre pumps this week, following the action.

Lizzie, from the shop, said people coming in were "annoyed" at what had happened.

She said it "shouldn't happen" and felt it was a "form of vandalisation".

On its website, Tyre Extinguishers says: "We want to make it impossible to own a huge polluting 4x4 in the world’s urban areas.

"We do this by deflating the tyres of these massive, unnecessary vehicles, causing inconvenience and expense for their owners."

A Met Police spokesperson said: "The local policing team in Islington are aware of this report and are speaking with local partners including the council to determine the scale of the problem.

We will also be speaking with residents and ward panel members."

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