Owners of 4x4s and gas-guzzlers have been targeted by anti-car environmentalists.

At least six vehicle owners in Marston, Oxford, awoke today to discover eco protesters had let down their tyres before leaving warning letters behind on their windscreens.

The letters, which are now at the centre of a police investigation, said the owners were adding to global warning by owning the vehicles.

Two Honda CRVs, a Land Rover Discovery and Mitsubishi Shogun in Ferry Road were vandalised.

A Subaru and Mitsubishi truck were also sabotaged in neighbouring Weldon Road and Nicholson Road.

The letters said: "Your destructive vehicle and scores of others across Oxford have been disabled as part of a wider struggle to avert a global emergency.

"Driving a car is not a right. Driving an SUV is an unacceptably selfish act in the face of this global emergency."

Honda CRV owner Daniel Lea, 38, said: "It's a very unfortunate thing to do to target people en masse like that without having any understanding of our principles or what we feel about those issues.

"To target 4x4s is unfair, given the fact mine has a lot smaller engine than bigger cars."

He added: "But it is nothing more than an irritant. It won't stop me driving."

A 29-year-old woman, who owns a Subaru targeted in Nicholson Road, said: "They are affecting people's day-to-day lives. They have no way of knowing my circumstances.

"When we saw the letter and realised what happened we were really angry."

Chief Insp Jack Malhi said: "Although we respect the views and opinions of others I would like to remind people that by taking the law into one's own hands and damaging other people's property is a crime."

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 08458 505505 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.

Have you been targeted? Call our newsdesk on 01865425500