Eco vandals Dundeeflators have deflated the tyres of 20 more cars in Broughty Ferry as part of an ongoing protest against the environmental impact of SUVs.
The local branch of the Tyre Extinguishers struck town again on Tuesday night.
It is at least the fourth time the group has hit vehicle owners in Dundee, saying it has disarmed more than 100 SUVs in the city in total since May.
Its previous attacks all took place in May when it targeted 20 cars in Craigiebank and Broughty Ferry, 10 in Broughty Ferry and 15 in City Quay.
In its recent bout of vandalism, the group says it targeted a Volvo parked on double yellow lines and a Range Rover it says “managed to be larger than the portable house behind it”.
NEW: 20 SUVs disarmed in the Broughty Ferry area of Dundee, Scotland last night!
The 4th (at least) action in Dundee, where around 100 SUVs have been disarmed since May.
In particular, the group disarmed this Range Rover that's somehow bigger than the portable house behind it. pic.twitter.com/uIEbDPGkeI
— The Tyre Extinguishers (@T_Extinguishers) July 13, 2022
The group’s aim is to make it “impossible to own a huge polluting 4×4 in the world’s urban areas”
Members, which operate in increasing numbers of cities worldwide, claim they are “defending ourselves against climate change, air pollution and unsafe drivers”.
The Tyre Extinguishers often leave notes on windscreens which argue SUVs cause more air pollution than smaller cars and owners do not need such a large vehicle.
It wants to ban SUVs in urban areas, pollution levies to tax SUVs “out of existence” and investment in public transport.
The group says its action will not stop until its goals become a reality.
Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.
Those involved are using 3D-printed valve caps or lentils to deflate tyres.
They unscrew the tyre valve cap then place a small object inside (such as a lentil) so the pin is depressed.
The dust cap is then screwed back onto the valve which, over a period of a few hours, will deflate the tyre.
Worldwide action
Thousands of cars have so far been targeted in cities such as London, Chicago and New York. 12 SUVs were in San Francisco on Friday.
In Edinburgh, the group warned tourists coming to the city for the Fringe Festival in August to leave their SUV at home after deflating 45 vehicles in the city last week.
Police say acts are ‘potentially dangerous’
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have received several reports of vehicle tyres being deliberately deflated in the Dundee area.
“This is a reckless and potentially dangerous act which could put drivers and road users at risk. Inquiries are ongoing to establish who is responsible. We would encourage members of the public to call us immediately if they see anyone acting suspiciously near to parked vehicles.
“I would also 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.”
Conversation