A top medic and first-time tourists were among those hit by climate change vandalism in the early hours of Sunday morning, Edinburgh Live has been told.
At least 20 vehicle owners in the area of Montpellier Park in Bruntsfield awoke to find their SUV tyres deflated by the Edinburgh Tyre Extinguishers group on Sunday morning.
The group posted flyers to windshields and also released a news statement claiming action against motorists.
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Bruntsfield residents revealed on Monday further details of those affected by the group's NHS doctor.
"My neighbour is an NHS doctor, and he woke up to two flat tyres on Sunday," a Montpelier Park resident said.
"If he had been on call and had to rush to the hospital in the night, I don’t know what he would have done."
Montpellier resident Claudia had friends visiting her from rural Gloucestershire over the weekend, and they were disappointed to find their car vandalised during their first visit to Edinburgh.
"We’re not unsympathetic to the cause, but we object to the methods," said Claudia.
"I think it’s a very crude, blunt thing to do. Luckily it didn’t happen on the morning they were set to continue their trip North."
Owners of Andiamo, a sustainable fashion store on Forbes Road, said they were disappointed to hear about such things taking place in their tight-knit community.
"It’s a very residential, student and young professional area of Edinburgh, and it’s surprising to hear about something like this happening," said one of the owners, who declined to be named.
"We’re all about community in Bruntsfield, and it’s not at all nice to damage someone else’s vehicle, and it would be a horrible thing to wake up to. Especially if you have to get your kids to school."
The Tyre Extinguishers claim the latest action was in response to the new Edinburgh Council formation.
The group claimed that "the new administration has no serious plans to tackle the car, climate, road safety and air pollution crises in the city."
However, the City of Edinburgh Council responded to statement requests on Monday, highlighting the city’s net-zero by 2030 climate target, which aims to make Edinburgh a net-zero city 15 years ahead of Scotland's national target.
"There is a lot that we need to do to meet our net-zero aim. And our recovery from Covid-19 and meeting of our longer-term sustainability vision for Edinburgh will only be possible through working with others. With people from across the city, across the council and across our partners," said a council spokesman.
A spokesperson for the group also confirmed that they have not been in contact with the new City Council administration in Edinburgh.
"We're an international movement so we don't get deep into the politics of a particular area," the spokesperson said.
Jeremy Balfour, a Tory MSP for Lothians, said representatives, including himself, are willing to listen to concerns about climate change policies.
"If people are looking for change, they should be contacting councils as well as UK and local parliament. Legal protests, demonstrations and marches are also fine, but there’s no excuse for causing damage to someone’s personal property. It needs to come to an end," he said.
Superintendent Mark Rennie said Police enquiries into the matter are still ongoing, and he encouraged members of public to call Scotland Police immediately if they see anyone acting suspiciously close to parked vehicles.
"This is a reckless and potentially dangerous act which could put drivers and road users at risk," said Rennie.
"I would also urge all drivers to check their vehicle before setting off and to contact the police on 101 should they suspect their vehicle has been tampered with."
