A CLIMATE activist group’s spate of deflating car tyres is “nasty” and could risk people’s lives, says one councillor.

There was a spate of incidents in the "wealthy area between Woodland Drive and Dyke Road" in Hove during the early hours of Tuesday, March 29.

Brighton and Hove city councillor Gary Wilkinson, opposition lead for environment, transport and sustainability, said the world’s problems with climate change are “dire” but added that “minor acts of vandalism” are not the way to spread the message.

The Labour councillor for Central Hove also called for the Green Party, as well as Green MP Caroline Lucas to “condemn” the actions of the activist group.

The Argus: A Honda CR-V which had its tyres deflated on March 14A Honda CR-V which had its tyres deflated on March 14

The group, called Tyre Extinguishers, claim to have deflated around 300 car tyres in the city since March 7.

The main target has been “gas-guzzling luxury cars” such as SUVs which the group says have “massive consequences for others”.

Sussex Police said they have received 54 reports of cars having tyres deflated, with the vast majority around March 7 and March 8.

The Argus received an email on Tuesday, March 29, stating that Tyre Extinguishers had targeted more cars around the Woodland Drive and Dyke Road area in Hove.

The Argus: A Lexus NX 300h which had its tyres deflated in Wilbury Avenue, Hove on March 15A Lexus NX 300h which had its tyres deflated in Wilbury Avenue, Hove on March 15

Sussex Police confirmed they had not received any further reports of tyres being deflated overnight "so far”.

Cllr Gary Wilkinson said: "This ‘tyre extinguisher’ campaign is irresponsible and potentially dangerous. It is a really nasty campaign, involving criminal activity and the damaging of people's cars.

"This damage could put people's lives in danger and has impacted on residents who rely on their cars due to having a disability and families with young children. It could be a nurse or a doctor's vehicle being vandalised next. 

The Argus: Cllr Gary Wilkinson has called on the Green Party to oppose the tyre deflating incidentsCllr Gary Wilkinson has called on the Green Party to oppose the tyre deflating incidents

“In the process, they are also bizarrely targeting the electric vehicles of those making efforts to be more environmentally conscious.

"I know that the police are taking the matter seriously and I urge them to continue to do all they can to catch those responsible and put a stop to these dangerous acts.

"We need to tackle the climate crisis and I understand emotions running high regarding this issue, but vandalising people's vehicles and potentially putting them in danger is not the way to go about this, and should not be tolerated in our city.

"The environmental situation is dire and needs answering but it's a complex and nuanced situation that minor acts of vandalism like this, show no sign of improving. 

The Argus: He wants Caroline Lucas to condemn the actionsHe wants Caroline Lucas to condemn the actions

"The right way to do it is to push the government to get taxes raised on large vehicles, campaign for better public transport, and keep the pressure on the Council to deliver on the recommendations of the city's first ever Climate Assembly.

"I hope the city’s Green administration and MP will join Labour in condemning the actions of these vandals, and focus on incentivising people to use more environmentally friendly forms of transport.

"If anything needs to be extinguished, it is the dangerous tactics employed in this campaign."

The Argus has previously approached Caroline Lucas and the Green Party for comment on the matter.