Masked men allegedly fired gunshots at unarmed officers and a police helicopter during this month’s riots in Birmingham, the city’s police force said on Saturday.
West Midlands Police released footage of the men purportedly firing shots during the riots on August 9, and said overall 11 shots were fired. Police say there was evidence of several gunmen on the streets of Birmingham on the night in question.
“Clearly this a huge threat to my officers, but the presence of these gunmen on the streets of Birmingham is also a threat to the wider community,” said Chief Constable Chris Sims of West Midlands Police.
More than 1,300 people have been charged over the riots that flared in London and other English cities over four nights. Two-thirds of those charged have been jailed.