West Midlands police have taken the unusual decision of releasing video footage showing hooded looters firing shots at officers and a force helicopter during this month's riots.

It is believed to be the first evidence that police came under fire during the riots and has heightened concerns that some of the seemingly random violence and looting was conducted by organised criminal gangs.The CCTV images show a group of between 30 and 40 young men breaking into the Barton Arms pub in the Newtown area of Birmingham on the night of Tuesday 9 August.The group, all masked and wearing black clothing, caused extensive damage to the pub and the surrounding area, which has been plagued by shootings in recent years.As officers arrived at the scene shortly before midnight, petrol bombs were thrown at a marked police car. It is believed as many as 11 shots were fired at the officers and a helicopter.Eyewitnesses reported seeing a series of flashes and hearing the sound of gunshots...

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The wife of a Red Arrows pilot watched his stunt team perform just minutes before he crashed to his death.

Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging's Hawk T1 aircraft plunged to the ground near Bournemouth Airport in Dorset after completing a display over the town's seafront.His wife, Dr Emma Egging, said she was "the proudest I've ever been" after his performance in the skies above the seaside resort."Jon was everything to those that knew him, and he was the best friend and husband I could ever have wished for. Watching him today, I was the proudest I've ever been. I loved everything about him, and he will be missed," she said.Eyewitnesses saw the plane flying low before smashing into a field and coming to a standstill with its nose in the River Stour near the village of Throop.Dorset Police said the pilot had been thrown from the aircraft and was pronounced dead at the scene.An MoD spokesman said: "A full...

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