A group that calls itself the “Tyre Extinguishers” has deflated the tyres of at least three SUVs in Cambridge.

The Extinguishers have embarked on a national campaign against SUVs, saying they want to “make it impossible to own an SUV in the UK’s urban areas.”

They claim that they are targeting “well-to-do areas across the UK”. Affected parts of Cambridge include Abbey Road, Oxford Road, and Halifax Road.

Members unscrew the valves on SUV tyres and leave a bean or pulse in the cap before returning the cap and leaving the tyre to slowly deflate. Letters have been left on the windscreens of affected cars which outline the group’s motivations.

The group label SUVs as “gas guzzling” cars, saying “we are defending ourselves against climate change, air pollution, and unsafe drivers”.

They cite a study from the International Energy Agency which claimed growing SUV demand was the second biggest contributor to growth of carbon emissions in the last decade, and that if SUV drivers were a country they would be the seventh largest emitter in the world. Around one-third of cars sold in Europe are SUVs.

The group has deflated the tyres of all kinds of SUVs, including electric and hybrid vehicles, saying “we cannot electrify our way out of the climate crisis - there are not enough rare earth metals to replace everyone’s car and the mining of these metals causes suffering”. They also mention issues of road safety and air pollution.

The Cambridge Constabulary said that they have received three reports of tyre deflation in Cambridge, and crimes have been raised for criminal damage, with investigation ongoing.

Other affected locations include London, Bristol, Liverpool, and Edinburgh.

The letter left on the cars includes an apology to owners, saying “it’s not you, it’s your car”.