Car tyres targeted by climate protesters

Climate activists claimed to have targeted cars in Leeds

Police are investigating reports of car tyres being deflated by climate change activists in Leeds.

West Yorkshire Police said it had received "several reports" of vehicles having their tyres deflated in the Headingley area in the early hours of Saturday.

One affected resident said they knew of 12 cars which had been targeted by people claiming to be affiliated with the Tyre Extinguishers group.

A spokesperson for the group, which targets SUVs and 4x4s, said such vehicles were "destroying cities, our lungs, our climate".

The Tyre Extinguishers website said the aim of the movement was "to make it impossible to own a huge polluting 4x4 in the world’s urban areas".

"We are defending ourselves against climate change, air pollution and unsafe drivers," the website added.

West Yorkshire Police said vehicles were reportedly targeted on Huntington Crescent, Montgomery Avenue, Grove Lane, Trelawn Street, Hollin Gardens, Hollin Crescent, Fulton Place and Thornbury Avenue.

Leaflets claiming "your gas guzzler kills" were left on the vehicles.

Letters addressed from the group were left on the owners' cars

The resident, who did not want to be named, described the campaign as "pointless".

"If their overall goal is to change the world they are going about it in the wrong way," they said.

"This sneaking around and patting yourselves on the back for just ruining someone's day, it's actually really sad.

"It's stupid and it's silly. It's almost juvenile in how lacking in impact it is."

The resident said they owned an SUV because they previously lived in a rural area.

Another resident affected was subsequently delayed in visiting their elderly mother who they help care for, the person added.

A spokesperson for Tyre Extinguishers said the group was an "autonomous movement" and "not in touch with a group in Leeds".

"You don't need to drive a tank to visit your elderly mother," they added.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said officers would be increasing patrols in the affected areas "to reassure residents and deter any further offences".

Cars have previously been targeted in Leeds, in 2022, as well as other cities more recently.

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