A group of environmental activists have been deflating the tyres on vehicles across Greater Manchester in a protest against ‘gas guzzlers’.
Residents in West Didsbury woke up yesterday morning to find that their cars had been deliberately rendered undriveable.
Notes were left on windshields from a group that calls themselves The Tyre Extinguishers.
The group says that large cars, such as SUVs and 4x4s, are ‘a disaster for our climate’ and describes them as ‘unnecessary and pure vanity’.
They have also targeted the more planet-friendly electric and hybrid cars, saying they are ‘still polluting, dangerous and cause congestion’.
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The notes read: “We have deflated one or more of your tyres. You’ll be angry, but don’t take it personally. It’s not you, it’s your car.”
Deflated tyres in West Didsbury. Credit: Supplied
It went on to say: “You will have no difficulty getting around without your gas guzzler, with walking, cycling or public transport.”
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Those who have been affected by the movement have blasted it as ‘ridiculous, irresponsible and so dangerous’.
The Tyre Extinguishers have been criticised for their ‘narrow-minded’ approach, which indiscriminately targets large vehicles without considering their use.
Several people whose businesses rely on their cars have been left stranded, and others have pointed out the consequences if there were an emergency.
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The notes left by The Tyre Extinguishers. Credit: Fran Cruse
Fran Cruse, director of local business FC Comms, said that several cars along her road were targeted this week.
She spotted the flyer on her car when she was heading out to catch a tram at around 6am.
She said: “Our neighbour’s tyres were completely flat, and that’s just a normal car – it’s not even an SUV or a 4×4.
“My brother-in-law’s vehicle got done too, and he uses it for work. He works a manual job, he can’t just be getting on the tram with loads of building materials!
Carly Bateman also had her tyres deflated. Credit: Instagram @bodybybates_
“It’s just ridiculous, irresponsible and it’s actually so dangerous. If that flyer had fallen off our windshield, [my husband] would have got in our car and driven on the motorway with a flat tyre.
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“I get that cars are bad for the environment, I’m in no way disputing that, but this way of going about it isn’t getting the message across, it’s just p*ssing people off.
“There’s no regard for why people have cars. Some people have kids and need space for car seats and prams, some are carers who need to carry equipment, most people have these vehicles as a necessity.
“It’s so narrow-minded to assume otherwise.”
Tyre Extinguishers stuck last night in Didsbury, Manchester, disarming multiple SUVs.
— The Tyre Extinguishers (@T_Extinguishers) March 23, 2022
Carly Bateman, who runs the entertainment company Carmina (her team of performers pop up at events and venues across the globe), said she also left for work to find her tyres deflated.
Speaking on Instagram, she said: “Now I understand the point of the message. I do care very much about climate change, which is why I’m getting the tram, which is why I don’t eat meat. I don’t really eat much dairy.
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“So I care about s**t and I’m doing my f***ing bit.
“But I have a 4×4 car because I run an entertainment company and I’m 5’2” and I can’t carry everything!
“Like don’t get me wrong, I get the point and I get there’s a lot that needs to be done for climate change.
“But don’t you think that’s really irresponsible? In terms of, like, you don’t know whose tyre you’re letting down.
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“It could send someone into a panic attack. If there was an emergency and I needed the car and then my thing’s gone and it delays things. What if I was pregnant and going into labour?
“Like find something else to do. And pick on the right people. I’m doing my f***ing bit.”
Featured image: Carly Bateman
News
Amber heat-health warning issued as temperatures drop across the North West
Danny Jones
An amber health warning has been issued for the North West and other regions as temperatures continue to drop across the country.
Having already provided an update on the “possibility of snow” and the imminent cold snap earlier this week, the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have now added a heat-health warning to their forecast for the new few days as things get increasingly colder across Great Britain.
With temperatures expected to reach as low as -5C by Friday, 29 November, the Met Office and UKHSA pushed out an amber heat-health alert on Wednesday, with the elderly, clinically vulnerable and the health sector in general said to be those most at risk.
Although the freezing weather obviously has the potential to affect everyone — with the likes of the North East and Northern Ireland having already been given a yellow weather warning as well — amber heat-health warnings are deemed to require an ‘enhanced response‘ as they are likely to significantly impact “across the whole health service” and possibly other sectors too.
The current heat-health alerts that have been issued for the UK. (Credit: gov.uk)
Under the relatively new CHA (cold-health alert) system, anything beyond a yellow level alert means that it is expected that there will be increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable populations and an increase in risk to health to individuals over the age of 65, those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and other vulnerable groups like rough sleepers.
As well as the Met Office offering their verdict, the UKHSA’s Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection, Dr Agostinho Sousa, said: “With a risk of widespread overnight frosts and some snow across the country this week, it’s important to check in on the wellbeing of those most vulnerable to the cold.
“Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly older people, and those with pre-existing health conditions, as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.
“If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat the rooms where you spend most of your time in[doors], such as your living room or bedroom.”
For those considered to be at risk during this cold snap and amber-heat health warning, the official government-sanctioned advice is that if you can’t heat all the rooms in your home, it is important to heat the rooms you spend the (i.e. living room in the day and bedroom before going to sleep) to at least 18 degrees if possible.
They also recommend wearing a few thin layers instead of one thick layer, as the former is better at trapping heat than just one big jumper etc.
Other advice on how to stay safe during these colder periods includes stocking up on food and medicine, keeping windows closed and reducing draughts at home, as well as getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19.
If you or someone you know is in need of help, you can get in touch with the NHS on 111 and if it is an emergency please call 999 immediately.
Man jailed for raping and assaulting two women as they slept
Daisy Jackson
A man has been jailed after being convicted of raping and sexually assaulting two women while they were sleeping.
Alan Pickering, 40, from Wirral, has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars as well as four years on an extended license.
During the trial at Liverpool Crown Court, the court heard that his victims had woken up to find that Pickering was raping them, with neither giving their consent.
Both victims then repeatedly asked him to stop, but he continued to assault them.
His crimes took place between January 2004 and July 2020 on ‘multiple occasions’ in the Chester and Wirral areas.
Pickering, of Procter Road in Rock Ferry, had previously been found guilty of five counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault by penetration following an earlier trial.
The latest allegations against the man came to light in 2020 after a report was made to social services at Cheshire West and Chester, which was passed on to Cheshire Police.
In addition to his prison sentence, Pickering has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life, and handed indefinite restraining orders against the victims.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Peel, who led the investigation, said: “Firstly I would like to commend the victims for the courage and bravery that they have shown throughout this case.
“I know that Pickering’s offending has had a hugely traumatic impact on the victims and having to give evidence during the trial was not easy for them.
“But thanks to the statements they gave, and the evidence we gathered, the jury we’re able to see through his lies and he is now finally being held accountable for his actions.”
Detective Constable Peel added: “Nobody should have to experience what these women have been though and if anything can be achieved from this case, I hope that it encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report them to us.
“We treat all reports extremely seriously, and any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.
“Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to. They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity.”
Daisy Jackson -
24th March 2022 
