Antwerp makes tyre deflation a crime

Starting from October 1, the police in Antwerp will be implementing fines for individuals caught deflating the tires of cars that are not their own. This decision was made due to the increasing frequency of climate activists using this tactic to protest against SUVs in urban areas. There were debates regarding whether this act constitutes damage to private property, as it does not result in additional costs for the victims or reduce the car’s value. However, it does inconvenience the owners as they need to reinflate the tires before driving their SUVs. Antwerp’s mayor, Bart De Wever, decided to update the police regulations, stating that deflating tires is considered property damage and a form of vandalism.

Despite the implementation of fines in Antwerp, it may not deter activist groups like the Tyre Extinguishers, as seen in Ghent where a similar measure was introduced a few months ago. Offenders risk a fine of up to 500 euros, but no one has been caught yet. The climate activists have expressed that these penalties will not deter them from their mission of protesting against the presence of large, polluting SUVs on Belgian streets.