ENVIRONMENTAL activists claim to have deflated more tyres in Brighton and Hove than any other city in the country.

The Tyre Extinguishers said its supporters have targeted more than ten SUVs across the city in an attempt to “make it impossible” to own the vehicles in urban areas.

The activists have declared Brighton “the most extinguished city in the UK” after vehicles in Preston Park were targeted on Monday.

The Argus: Tyres have been deliberately deflated in Preston Park area of Brighton by a group called the Tyre Extinguishers. Photo: Twitter/The Round Hill SocietyTyres have been deliberately deflated in Preston Park area of Brighton by a group called the Tyre Extinguishers. Photo: Twitter/The Round Hill Society

A spokesman for the Tyre Extinguishers said: “If you live in posh Preston Park, you don’t need a massive polluting death machine.

"Brighton and Hove is now the most tyre-extinguished city in the UK and we hope to see even more people joining in.”

It comes after vehicles in Balfour Road, Lowther Road and Maldon Road in Brighton, The Drive in Hove and Newells Close in Woodingdean, were targeted last month.

The tyre extinguishers describe SUVs as “a climate disaster”, “dangerous” and “unnecessary”.

The Argus: Leaflet left on cars in Preston ParkLeaflet left on cars in Preston Park

SUVs feature elements of standard cars but are larger and have off-road capabilities such as high ground clearance.

Petrol and diesel-powered models are generally less fuel efficient than cars.

The Tyre Extinguishers describes itself as “leaderless” and encourages people to take action by reading instructions on how to deflate tyres, by using a lentil, on its website.

People can also print off leaflets to leave on the windscreen of affected vehicles to inform drivers what has happened.

Activists are urged to avoid SUVs “clearly used” by people with disabilities or by tradespersons.

The activists have also claimed that “copycat” groups are beginning to target vehicles across Europe.

Marion Walker from the Tyre Extinguishers said: “We love copycats. This is an action that anyone can do anywhere.

“Join in and we’ll see these machines disappear from our streets for good.”

The group, which first took action on March 7, said: “So far, the Tyre Extinguishers have disarmed nearly 2,000 SUVs in the UK, in Brighton, London, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Bristol and Edinburgh, in repeated actions.

Sussex Police have issued CCTV footage showing two people they want to trace in connection with tyres being deflated in the city.