‘Maybe try walking’: Climate extremist group Tyre Extinguishers targets SUVs in Toorak

Extremists have deflated “hundreds” of tyres on SUVs in a wealthy Melbourne suburb overnight in “the first action in a new wave” of protests.

Climate extremists with the Tyre Extinguishers group have targeted SUVs in Toorak overnight. Picture: Supplied

Climate change extremists have deflated “hundreds” of tyres on SUVs in the wealthy Melbourne suburb overnight, with notes left on windscreens informing owners that their “gas guzzler kills” and suggesting they try taking public transport instead.

Supporters of the global Tyre Extinguishers group said in a statement to media outlets on Friday morning that “concerned citizens” had “disarmed” vehicles in Melbourne’s richest suburb “in the first action in a new wave of climate protest in Australia”.

“The Tyre Extinguishers is a new movement springing up across the globe, encouraging people to take action against urban SUVs,” the statement said.

“The Tyre Extinguishers are a leaderless group where citizens take action in their local area by using a website to learn how to deflate the tyres and to print off a leaflet to leave at the SUV to inform the owner of what has happened, for their safety.”

At least 10 cars were targeted. Picture: Tyre Extinguishers

A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed officers were “investigating after a number of vehicles had their tyres deflated in Toorak overnight”.

“At least 10 four-wheel drive and sports utility vehicles in the vicinity of Tintern Avenue were tampered with,” she said.

“Notes were also left on the vehicles describing the environmental impact of these types of vehicles. The investigation is ongoing.”

Police have asked any witnesses or anyone with CCTV or other footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Flyers were left on windscreens. Picture: Tyre Extinguishers

The note left on windscreens read: “ATTENTION — your gas guzzler kills”.

“We have deflated one or more of your tyres,” the note read.

“You’ll be angry, but just take a minute to think about why your car is a big problem.

“Car companies try to convince you that we need massive cars, but we don’t. Driving around urban areas in your massive vehicle has huge consequences for others. SUVs and 4x4s are also a disaster for our climate. SUVs are the second-largest cause of the global rise in carbon dioxide emissions over the past decade — more than the entire aviation industry.

“Even if you don’t care about the impacts on people far away from you, perhaps think about the impacts around your neighbourhood. SUVs cause far more air pollution than smaller cars. “SUVs are more likely to kill people than normal sedans in collisions. Psychological studies show SUV drivers are more likely to take risks and put others at risk. SUVs just aren’t necessary, especially when most of us live in overcrowded cities.

“The world is facing a climate emergency. According to scientists and the United Nations, millions of people are already dying from the consequences of global heating — droughts, fires, hurricanes, floods, forced migration and starvation. While the impacts on you so far have probably been minimal, everyday millions of people are directly affected. Emergency action is needed to reduce emissions immediately.

“That’s why we’ve temporarily stopped you driving your SUV. Your tyre isn’t damaged and you will have no difficulty getting around without your gas guzzler. Maybe try walking, cycling or using public transport.”

Toorak is one of Melbourne’s richest suburbs. Picture: Supplied

In its statement, Tyre Extinguishers said the group was taking action because SUVs were a “climate disaster”.

“If SUV drivers were a country, they would be the sixth largest polluting country in the world,” it said.

“The Tyre Extinguishers want to see bans on SUVs in urban areas, pollution levies to tax SUVs out of existence, and massive investment in free, comprehensive public transport. But until politicians make this a reality, Tyre Extinguishers action will continue. We have no leader — anyone can take part, wherever you are.”

Last month, supporters of the group destroyed the tyres on at least 60 SUVs at a UK car dealership.

They claimed the action was in “retaliation” for the deaths of two eight-year-old schoolgirls who were tragically killed when a woman driving her Land Rover careered through fencing and into their southwest London school on July 6.

“This act of retaliation is intended as a peaceful and nonviolent demonstration to draw attention to the presence of grossly-inappropriate private vehicles in our towns and cities,” the activists said.

“Tyre Extinguishers firmly believes that their action is a necessary escalation to try and stop these vehicles from wrecking further lives and continuing to push the worsening climate crisis off the cliff edge.”

Speaking to news.com.au earlier this year, a spokesperson for the group said it had faced “no legal issues” and that Australia was its “next big target”.

“It’s very hard to get caught doing this, unless SUV owners are going to stay up all night, every night defending their vehicle in the off chance we appear,” the spokesperson said.

“If someone is caught, there’s a debate about whether what we are doing is even illegal. In the UK, police forces are divided about whether it’s a crime to let the air out of a tyre or not. It may not even meet the threshold for criminal damage.”

Originally published as ‘Maybe try walking’: Climate extremist group Tyre Extinguishers targets SUVs in Toorak