Vehicles in an East Lancashire town appear to have been targeted by a new group of environmental activists who deflate car tyres.
Over the last few weeks, some people in Bacup have been “left stranded” after the tyres of their "gas guzzling" vehicles were deflated with a note left on their windscreen explaining why, from the ‘Tyre Extinguishers’.
Robert Hardman said two vehicles in a car park near Bravo Court, Bacup, were targeted by the activists on Monday, September 12.
He said: “Just a heads up to anyone with a Range Rover. It would appear some are taking it upon themselves to deflate tyres.
"Seems a bit stupid, God forbid that person has to go somewhere in an emergency.
“They are unscrewing the valve core to release the air. The tyre won't hold its air if this is loose, it needs screwing back in tight just in case it happens to anyone else.”
He posted a picture of a deflated Range Rover tyre along with the note that was left on the windscreen.
The letter said: “Your gas guzzler kills. We have deflated one or more of your tyres. You’ll be angry but don’t take it personally. It’s not you, it’s your car.
“We did this because driving around urban areas in your massive vehicle has huge consequences for others.”
While his tyres weren’t deflated, Robert wanted to raise awareness for other people in the area.
He said: “I live where it happened and wanted to raise awareness.
“It might get to a point where someone needs to do something in an emergency and they won’t be able to deal with it.
“I agree with the activists to a certain extent but the way they are going about it is very wrong.”
Lisa Camps said her Range Rover convertible was targeted last Thursday (September 8) near Market Street.
A handwritten note was left on her windscreen, claiming to be from the Tyre Extinguishers.
Lisa, who owns Imogen Alexia hairdressers in Bacup, said: “I was at work and went to get some water out of my car.
“I noticed the note and checked my tyres.
“I could still hear the air hissing out of the tyre so I must have just missed them.
“A friend came over after work to pump it back up – without them I would have been stranded.”
Lisa said the incident was “annoying and dangerous”.
She said: “You could literally be stranded anywhere they just don’t care.
“I don’t think what they are doing is fair.
“If I didn’t spot the note when I did, I would have left work in the pitch black by myself. As a single lone female it makes you feel vulnerable and like a target.
“I find it a very pointless exercise and they aren’t achieving anything by doing this.”
The Tyre Extinguishers are a new group of environmental activists that has deflated tyres on hundreds of SUVs and 4X4 type vehicles across Britain.
According to their website, their aim is to “make it impossible to own a huge polluting 4x4 vehicle in the world’s urban areas.”
They deflate the tyres of these “massive, unnecessary vehicles” causing inconvenience for their owners.
4x4s and SUV type vehicles tend to have a higher level of fuel consumption compared to smaller vehicles due to having larger, more powerful engines and being generally heavier
Bacup isn’t the only area they have targeted.
SUVs were targeted in 13 “well-to-do” locations in May, including parts of London, and Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Sheffield.
A police spokesperson said they received one official report of this in Rossendale back in July and that “it appears to be more of a national issue than a local one.”
Has your vehicle's tyres been deflated by the Tyre Extinguishers? Send your story to: sarah.mcgee@newsquest.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article