Police are investigating criminal damage after people were spotted deflating vehicles' tyres in Bristol. Multiple cars were targeted last week in Redland and police suspect it could be linked to the environmental movement the Tyre Extinguishers.
An eyewitness told BristolLive that they awoke to a commotion outside their home on Florence Park shortly after midnight on Wednesday, July 20 after at least four cars were reported to have had their tyres let down. The source initially believed two people had been arrested at the scene, although police were unable to confirm this.
Officers at Avon and Somerset Police have said they have "a plan in place" to support their investigation, which they are categorising as criminal damage. BristolLive has previously reported on where the law stands with deflating tyres, which is a bit of a grey area.
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Letting someone's tyre down without permission is not specifically listed as an offence in law, but it could come under a couple of other umbrella terms such as criminal damage or vehicle interference. A spokesperson for the force said: “We have received new reports that multiple car tyres have been let down in Florence Park, in the Redland area of Bristol, overnight from Tuesday 19 to Wednesday, July 20.
"Officers believe the incident is linked to a national environmental protest group, which has previously targeted SUV vehicles in the area, and continue to increase patrols in the affected areas and offer advice to the car owners. We are working with Crimestoppers to circulate leaflets which we hope will inform car owners and provide advice we hope prevents further crimes.
"We also have a plan in place which will support our investigation, which we are classifying as criminal damage." Earlier this month, climate activists announced they extinguished the tyres on 90 SUVs in Clifton.
Tyre Extinguishers has been contacted for comment. Police have encouraged those who have information which could aid the investigation to call 101 and quote reference number 5222118435.
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