Your Oxford
Get involved: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting 'OXFORD NEWS' to 80360 or email »
Eco-protesters let down 4x4 tyres
6:35pm Friday 18th July 2008
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
Your Say YourOxford
David, wantage says...
7:54pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Phil Gale, oxford says...
8:51pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Chief Insp Jack Malhi said: "Although we respect the views and opinions of others ...
Why did he need to say that? This is criminal damage, whether done by feckless kids or misguided environmentalists.
Mr Ison, England says...
9:10pm Fri 18 Jul 08
The Vadals are saying it's a religious site,one of few in the land.
Damned by their own words.
Sarah, Oxford says...
9:23pm Fri 18 Jul 08
While I personally wouldn't take this kind of action, I'm glad that someone did - no-one was hurt, no real damage was done (I assume), and it's drawn attention to the problem in a very striking way. Good on them!
Mr Ison, England says...
10:04pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Could it be disgruntled sewage workers upping the ante because non union members cleaned the junk out of the river that Union members felt too onerous?
And the Police,another Union Gaff,are warning citizens not to undermine their political leverage?
By jove Holmes,that's fit to print.
ox4 gooner, cowley says...
10:10pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Mr Ison, England says...
10:15pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Sarah, Outside Oxford says...
11:06pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Alan Page, Guildford says...
11:58pm Fri 18 Jul 08
Mr Ison, England says...
12:10am Sat 19 Jul 08
Strikes me a Camel would be just right.
Phil, Headington (Quarry) says...
12:44am Sat 19 Jul 08
ox4 gooner wrote:Cowley needs them!
Sarah. If you were about 70 years ago you would probably have believed the nazi propaganda and supported them too.God I cant believe there are such stupid people allowed to roam our streets.
Lewis Parry, Abingdon says...
7:51am Sat 19 Jul 08
Homer, N.Oxon says...
8:24am Sat 19 Jul 08
Alan Page, Guildford says...
8:41am Sat 19 Jul 08
M, says...
1:01pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Mr C. Change, Oxford says...
1:58pm Sat 19 Jul 08
M wrote:..driving them SUVs or Socially Unacceptable Vehicles. How selfish.
<b> Wretched people.</b>
chris, oxford says...
2:40pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Tom, says...
4:34pm Sat 19 Jul 08
chris wrote:Dear Chris,i would like to invite you to kiss my A**.
unfortunately we in this country haven't experienced the consequences of our actions yet in terms of fossil fuel consumption. the people who let down those tires are far more advanced in thought than anybody stating that cars are a modern right of existence. the goverment allow these monsters to be built for one reason only, money drives everything they do... even at the cost of our own planet.
The people who left down these tyres are no different to those who scratch cars.
These vehicles are the property of the owners,what gives some tree hugger the idea that they can touch other peoples property?.
I do not drive a 4x4 but if i caught somebody interfering with my vehicle i would seriously hurt them for doing so,no questions asked.
Tom, says...
4:38pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Sarah wrote:Sarah,you are well fucke* up if you think that touching other peoples property is ok.
Why on earth would anyone own a 4x4 if they live in town? People burning unnecessary fuel are the real vandals here - they're trashing our shared climate and harming us all. While I personally wouldn't take this kind of action, I'm glad that someone did - no-one was hurt, no real damage was done (I assume), and it's drawn attention to the problem in a very striking way. Good on them!
Whether damage was done or not is not the issue here.
Hands off other peoples property,it is as simple as that.
As for nobody being hurt,i think they deserve to be hurt for doing this.
I wont take up any more of your time,i am sure you are off to Marks and Spencer now to buy more organic veg.
Mr Ison, England says...
4:40pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Tom, says...
4:43pm Sat 19 Jul 08
maybe not...........
Mr Ison, England says...
4:45pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Tom, says...
4:58pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Phil wrote:Phil,Cowley is awash with cretins.I read "creins weekly",a highly regarded magazine and they said so.
ox4 gooner wrote: Sarah. If you were about 70 years ago you would probably have believed the nazi propaganda and supported them too.God I cant believe there are such stupid people allowed to roam our streets.Cowley needs them!
A side effect of interbreeding.
I do wish the Americans would come up with another one of their great solutions like AIDS to help us out in these difficult times.
brendan, iffley says...
5:11pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Mr Ison, England says...
5:30pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Call it nation wrecking,call it divide and conquer,call it treason,call it what you will but let's get shot of them sooner rather than later.
Toad, Toad Hall says...
6:49pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Toad, Toad Hall says...
6:51pm Sat 19 Jul 08
brendan wrote:No Brendan, my car is not hurting you - your parents are your problem ... with their defective genes.
your cars are hurting me I have asthma. brendan aged 7
An aspirin a day, keeps heart attacks at bay says...
6:54pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Toad wrote:Harsh - but fair!
brendan wrote: your cars are hurting me I have asthma. brendan aged 7No Brendan, my car is not hurting you - your parents are your problem ... with their defective genes.
chris, oxford says...
9:39pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Mr Ison, England says...
11:30pm Sat 19 Jul 08
The Bishop, Of Oxford says...
2:56pm Sun 20 Jul 08
Mr Ison wrote:Good Lord! For once Ison is right: Christ was flagellated.
Christ!,a flagellant.
Green Snot, In my back garden! says...
3:00pm Sun 20 Jul 08
chris wrote:So robust comment is unacceptable? Tosh. And why should people who do not believe the nonsense spouted about global warning be any less beautiful than the hair legged sandal wearing greenies who are going to go to hell with the rest of us whether we recycle our tins of beanz, drive gas gluggers, knock down cyclists, or not.
and there was me thinking oxford was a place of intellect! i can\'t stand it when cave-dwellers post their moronic thoughts about relevant subjects. no point discussing anything with fools that revert to violence, either vocal or physical. all i can say is that i hope global warming has a sense of fairness about it, and hurts those that do nothing to stop it, rather than those beautiful people who bother to feel compassion for third-world countries currently paying the price for our arrogance and greed. our time will come, and then people such as yourselves will be grovelling for help from those who are planning for this crisis now. grow up!
Tom, says...
4:27pm Sun 20 Jul 08
chris wrote:You are joking Chris?
and there was me thinking oxford was a place of intellect! i can't stand it when cave-dwellers post their moronic thoughts about relevant subjects. no point discussing anything with fools that revert to violence, either vocal or physical. all i can say is that i hope global warming has a sense of fairness about it, and hurts those that do nothing to stop it, rather than those beautiful people who bother to feel compassion for third-world countries currently paying the price for our arrogance and greed. our time will come, and then people such as yourselves will be grovelling for help from those who are planning for this crisis now. grow up!
why should i feel sorry for people for example in Bangladesh or India.
Their own governements are their worst enemies.
They are corrupt and greedy themselves,just look at the pollution generated in these countries.
Just thank god that you did not end up in one of those *****oles.
Mr Ison, England says...
7:26pm Sun 20 Jul 08
ox2 gooner, walton manor says...
10:21pm Sun 20 Jul 08
Dan Factor, London says...
3:35pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Educating people and showing them the benefits if they choose a more fuel efficient car is the best way to do this.
Going round and vandelising people's cars is not the way to do it because it just puts people's backs up and makes them defiant to defy the eco warriors who are telling them what to do.
Saying "Drive a fuel efficient car because it will be better for you and the planet" is much more effective than "Drive a fuel efficient car or we'll make you suffer".
Andrew, London says...
11:16pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Felicity, London says...
10:05am Fri 25 Jul 08
"... Since 2004 Ms. Berry has on one hand actively encouraged direct action against drivers whilst posing as a Green Party Politician/Spokesper
son on the other. Despite having serious ambitions to be the Political face of the Green Party she has run when her stance has been challenged and has been unable to debate without resorting to insults as demonstrated on thses page... Enclosed are some articles about recent acts of vandalism which are as a direct result of the Anti 4x4 movement that Sian has tried to encourage. Sian has enclosed photos of vandalised Land Rover Billborads on her AAU4X4 website along with asking people to view 4x4 drivers with the same disdain reserved for drink drivers. Surely this isn't the type of arguement the Green party supports. Please take time to read the damage the AAU4X4 has brought about which if left unchecked has the potential to destroy the Green Party." quoted from this site
http://www.newstates
man.com/blogs/sian-b
erry/2008/07/electio
n-green-census-work
Sian Berry the face behind the "...series of attacks on 4x4s and gasguzzling cars in a village..." I suggest we all boycott her books
http://www.amazon.co
.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_
/202-3934310-1929431
?url=search-alias%3D
aps&field-keywords=s
ian+berry&x=0&y=0
Spurwing Plover, etna,ca USA says...
2:55am Fri 22 Aug 08
Your sayYourOxford
Add your comment
Register for a FREE Oxford Mail account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
In this section
Sponsored Links
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Mr Ison, England says...
7:39pm Fri 18 Jul 08