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New Footage Shows London Rioters Firing Shots at Unarmed Police And Helicopter

Footage of London Rioters Firing Shots At Unarmed Police

New video footage released by West Midlands police confirms witness reports that looters fired shots at officers and a force helicopter during the London riots this month.  The footage heightens the concerns among some in law enforcement who believe that some of the seemingly random violence and looting was conducted by organized criminal gangs.

The footage was taken in the Newtown area of Birmingham on the night of August 9. The Guardian reports on the violent group of young men:

“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 as police approached the looters, forcing officers to take cover behind vehicles.”

Officers believe that the 30 to 40 men in Newtown intended to set fire to the Barton Arms pub. Police released the footage to show the riots’ potential for serious harm to officers and members of the public. Chief Constable Chris Sims said to media:

“‘Eleven shots were fired at unarmed officers to enable disorder to continue, whilst petrol bombs were also thrown at officers who initially attended the scene,’ he said.

‘This footage shows seemingly co-ordinated criminal behaviour with no regard for people’s lives, whether it be through the setting of a fire, shooting at unarmed officers or shooting at the police helicopter.’”

The incident is being treated as attempted murder and arson. Since the riots began West Midlands Police have so far arrested more than 500 people, of whom more than 140 have been charged.

Comments (159)

  • texasfarmer
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:27pm

    The pub owner should have had a weapon(s) and used them.

    Report Post » texasfarmer  
    • klez4u
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:45pm

      Shoot looters. If it has a rock, a stick, a torch or is wearing a hoody or a bandana, shoot it. Death to all anarchists everywhere.

      Report Post »  
    • Tall Tal
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:47pm

      shoot the sobs

      Report Post »  
    • rangerp
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 7:11pm

      I guess all that gun control over in Mother England did not work real well. Seems the good people do not have them, and the bad people do. Go figure. Worked out the same way in Australia. They took the handguns, and gun violence sky rocketed in every major city.

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • engr
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 7:46pm

      Shooting the SOB’s is the thing to do in Texas. Unfortunately, in today’s England, you can be thrown in jail for defending your property or even yourself. See,

      http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2011/08/malcolms-moment.php

      I think that is where Obama would like to take the US. God help us!

      Report Post »  
    • becker88
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 8:13pm

      This is very sad…

      http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos

      Report Post »  
    • Cold War Vet
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 8:13pm

      @ KLEZ4U

      I concur!

      Report Post » Cold War Vet  
    • Baron_Doom
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 8:32pm

      How’s gun control working for you, England?

      Report Post » Baron_Doom  
    • Stronge
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 9:18pm

      Gun control’s working really well, thanks. You should check the stats.

      Report Post » Stronge  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 9:23pm

      Thankfully they didn’t have high powered rifles shooting at the police and helicopter.

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 9:45pm

      So criminals don’t care about gun laws? I for one am shocked … not.

      TEA!

      and God Save the SECOND AMMENDMENT!

      Report Post »  
    • brianhks
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 9:56pm

      Reminds me of that footage from the LA riots where the Koreans were defending themselves with guns. Most of those stupid rioters are just doing it because they can get away with it. If there was even a 1% chance of getting shot they would all probably stay home and play video games.

      Report Post »  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 11:41pm

      Thank goodness there are tough gun control laws in Britain to stop firearm violence………………………

      Report Post »  
    • Parnell3rd
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 12:46am

      You don’t understand. In the socialist country of England guns are outlawed. So the English do not have the right to protect themselves from outlaws. Even the police cannot protect them or themselves because most police do not have guns.

      Report Post » Parnell3rd  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 12:59am

      The video is obviosly faked — gun control laws are very strict in the United Kingdom, so rioters simply could not have any firearms.

      Report Post »  
    • fastfacts
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 4:13am

      DID YOU SEE THAT THERE IS MORE BACKLASHES BECAUSE THE UK IS CRACKING DOWN ON THE RIOTERS WITH HARD SENTENCING…

      Yet it sounds like the media is supporting the poor vandals that destroyed people lives: http://www.americanparchment.com/video/2011/aug/riot_sentences_backlash.html

      Report Post »  
    • rodamaa
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:33am

      Save your anger for the right moment. These things are design to get you angry and make you do stupid things. The psychological issue these pathetic criminals, not talking about the thugs on video, are trying to elicit is anger from us. This is the bottom up turbulent mindless be behavior they so desperately want. It is anarchy they want. We must deny them this. I am not talking about rolling over but we should choose our battles. Chose laughter and ridicule over anger and watch them squirm.

      Report Post »  
    • rodamaa
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:43am

      @fastfacts

      Love the air of fair and balance in the report. But notice how the reports ends with “Harsh sentences may create more problems in the future” And the permissive behavior which has brought the UK to this point, is that good? The problems are for the socialists because people may find out that respect for the law preserves society something these socialist criminals do not want.

      Report Post »  
    • ISeeDanger.com
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 7:27am

      Thank God they very strong gun laws…
      That way only the hoods can have them.
      http://www.ISeeDanger.com

      Report Post » ISeeDanger.com  
    • chazman
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 7:28am

      … when you outlaw guns, then only criminals will have them. Here the cops are, being shot at and they can’t defend themselves or the populace. Har dee har har … and another thing. These creeps all dressed in black and wearing masks, well, just who do you think they may be? Allah Akbar! duh ..

      Report Post »  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 8:01am

      But this isn’t possible. There are those anti-gun laws that keep such incidents from happening in Britain. surely those criminals abide by the laws of the land and don’t have illegal guns…geez

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 8:22am

      That’s what happens in a country where guns are illegal. all the cops are unarmed, except for billy clubs. You think criminals pay attention to guns being outlawed? Wake up America, for all of Obama’s talk about not liking Great Brittain, he wants us just like them. Police will be saying, “Halt. Or I’ll yell halt again.”

      Report Post »  
    • Blazeanswerman
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 9:56am

      I agree but I think even the police are not allowed to carry guns. That’s how pathetic this country is. Let them try this in a gun friendly place like Texas. We’ll see how long the riot goes on. But of course it will be blamed on the permit carrying citizens saying that they caused the riot because they are all hateful racist terrorists that believe in God.

      Report Post » Blazeanswerman  
    • Bum thrower
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 10:16am

      All staged to increase gun control. They will use this as a pretext to outlaw firearms in the UK. OOPs, they’ve already done that, so how can this be? Ask the Brady Campaign to prevent gun violence how this could be. Were is their UK branch?

      Report Post »  
    • hud
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 1:47pm

      Even the bobbies(police) in England rarely carry guns. Only the criminal element is heavily armed in England, police arm up when the job calls for it.

      Report Post »  
    • Melvin Spittle
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 4:04pm

      Too bad the only ones with guns in the UK are the criminals. The balance of power in the UK has shifted to the thug criminal that can do whatsoever they please and not worry about accountability as evidenced by the slap on the wrist they get.

      UK Thugs = Dangerous armed predator
      UK Citizen =Defenseless victim/prey

      US Thugs = Dangerous predator.
      US Armed Citizen = The last thing an armed predator sees before the lead injection to the head.

      Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
    • bruce_baker
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:54pm

      Right, you are! This should be all the proof that anyone with two eyes and a brain needs to verify the truism, “When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.” I first heard that forty years ago. Now, for them, it’s come true. God forbid that ever happens here!

      Report Post » bruce_baker  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 9:09pm

      Since Londoners are not supposed to be “armed” and police are “unarmed”, does anyone know where these guns come from.
      Is there an “European Operation Fast and Furious”, does anyone know?

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 9:17pm

      @lorianne
      re : You think criminals pay attention to guns being outlawed? Wake up America, for all of Obama’s talk about not liking Great Brittain, he wants us just like them. Police will be saying, “Halt. Or I’ll yell halt again.”
      ***
      Maybe the thinking is if you keep drawing lines in the sand long enough and far enough, the tide will come in and sweep you away from the violence. Might work, you never can tell!

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • David286 - FL
      Posted on August 22, 2011 at 3:59pm

      @engr – Americans will NOT willingly turn in their firearms as the British and Australians did.

      Report Post » David286 - FL  
    • David286 - FL
      Posted on August 22, 2011 at 4:09pm

      @Strong – You might want to check the stats on how well the gun control laws are working in England to curb violent crimes before praising them…
      http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/5712573/UK-is-violent-crime-capital-of-Europe.html

      Report Post » David286 - FL  
    • I support God's Israel!
      Posted on August 23, 2011 at 7:21pm

      http://dotsub.com/view/6474921d-8943-443b-9128-de62aa3b3e54

      Report Post » I support God's Israel!  
  • soapman
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:25pm

    This is what happens when an Marxist is elected to the white house, all the animals are set free to do this, we are in big trouble,,, these monkeys are being allowed to run free and terrorize everyone knowing there will be no consequences, with America in decline the rest of the world is falling apart , lawlessness , coming to a city near you very, very soon

    Report Post »  
    • dnewton
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 9:05pm

      In 1899 Dr. Gustave Le Bon said that Communism is nothing more than the religion of the stomach. Five years before that he wrote that communism is nothing but what things were like before there was civilization. Le Bon was about seven years old when perhaps 100,000 French troops stormed the city of Paris to dislodge people on the dole. The attack took about a week of engaging armed mobs behind barricades. They were defending their “right” to live on the dole. The folks who lived out in the country, who were paying for that “right”, did not appreciate paying for their city cousins to live at their expense. The year was 1848.

      Report Post »  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 9:31pm

      This is what happens when organized groups get into in protest – how can anyone blame what happens in London on the President in the White House. If you have ever watched the news you would know that these protests have happened before in Great Britain. Oh but you guys are going to blame it on Obama – how stupid!!. http://wp.me/pYLB7-1vV

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • HumbleMan
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 9:46pm

      Let’s see. Obama implements the Dream Act while going on vacation at the site of Mary Jo’s murder. Marx wrote the communist manifesto while living in London on Engel‘s father’s tab.

      Socialism is for the people, not for the socialist.

      Logic, reason and facts do not matter to Obama (or Marx). Tyrants can’t abide armed citizenry. We MUST not let them disarm us.

      Report Post » HumbleMan  
    • hud
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 1:50pm

      How hard is it to hit a fat beer guzzling union thug in the middle of a street

      Report Post »  
    • I support God's Israel!
      Posted on August 23, 2011 at 7:22pm

      Wow: http://dotsub.com/view/6474921d-8943-443b-9128-de62aa3b3e54
      Really strong sentiments about the British mobs.

      Report Post » I support God's Israel!  
  • KwikKarl
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:23pm

    The only thing missing from the overhead FLIR shots are the normal JDAM and APACHE’s firing like we see out of Iraq and A-Stan… It would have at least given that ‘Hell Yeah’ feeling to the videos…

    Report Post » KwikKarl  
    • billybe123
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 10:31pm

      Really, I was thinking the same thing! Would have been nice to see the jerk of the cam as the chain gun fired, Puffs of smoke all around him and then his head come flying off moments later!

      Report Post » billybe123  
    • SLmanDR
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 11:18pm

      Yep, thanks for the imagery!

      Report Post » SLmanDR  
  • fearandloathing
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:19pm

    Proof of a commonly debated situation, in any society, when you remove the guns only the criminals and malcontents will have guns. Enough said … the debate is over.

    Report Post »  
    • tarbush
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:36pm

      But this will be used by the ‘Dear Leader’ Obama or one of his henchmen as a reason why we need to have gun control in the U.S. Mark my word.

      Report Post »  
    • michael48
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 7:16pm

      fear and loathing…the science is SETTLED…agree COMPLETELY…unarmed police and citizen’s??? that’s asking for a MAJOR AZZ-KICKING…Napolitano/Holder /Oblamo…they’re after the LAST DEFENCE….make book on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • Marsh626
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:19pm

    Important to keep in mind that virtually all handguns were banned in the UK.

    In fact, most guns were banned in the UK besides low capacity hunting type weapons – which you have to go through all kinds of background checks to own.

    The UK is basically disarmed.

    Yet UK gun violence continues to rise (and the UK has the highest rate of violent crime in the world).

    And mass shootings by mentally unstable people still occur.

    Including with those hunting type weapons.

    Just recently, a woman was killed by a double shot hunting shotgun.

    So what’s next?

    Ban all hunting weapons as well?

    Well what’s to stop that woman from being murdered with a kitchen knife instead?

    Banning weapons is silly.

    It simply doesn’t stop killings.

    Why is this so hard for liberals to understand?

    Report Post »  
    • beckbotsrlame
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 8:34pm

      “the UK has the highest rate of violent crime in the world)”. BullSh@@@it where did you get that info, from the Beckester or let me guess from your mom.Moron

      Report Post » beckbotsrlame  
    • usmc1063
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 9:08pm

      beckbotrlame Here’s a little eye opener for you thats if your can comprehend what you read
      http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=21902

      Report Post » usmc1063  
    • Steve
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 1:40am

      beckbotsrlame

      In the words from that bully on the Simpson’s.

      HA. HA

      Report Post »  
    • Jerome
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 6:24am

      Beckbotsrlame, Unlike you, most people that agree with Beck will read a story and the do a little research and verify the facts. England’s crime rate have gone up since their gun ban and do lead the U.S. in all but murder and rape. Making comparisons can be difficult since crimes are not reported the same, for example in England if a woman is murdered by three men and are not convicted because the only witness is dead they do not count it. If the same happens in the U.S. it counts as 3 weather convicted or not. As for the name calling, you like most libs suffer from a projective personality. I would define that for you but I think you would benefit more if you looked it up your self. Kind of like learning to fish.

      Report Post »  
  • TheCenturion
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:15pm

    It can’t be, guns are illegal in Britain.

    And the nutjobs want to take ours ——- NEVER!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • sidewayssquare
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:13pm

    its a little difficult for me to feel pitty for whats going on in london, i talked to a friend over there and asked what he thought about the public being rearmed, his response was i dont see how thats going to make things any better…… untill these folks have the light shone in thier eyes they wolnt wake up untill they get that last shower before they are admitted into the camp.

    guns dont kill people, people kill people.

    Report Post »  
  • Ari Ben TZion
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:09pm

    This type of thing could only happen in the upside-down Universe we are all living in.

    Report Post » Ari Ben TZion  
  • barber2
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:09pm

    Oh, I’m sure that the MSM like the NYT will cover all of this in depth. That is total sarcasm. The far Left will not want anyone to think that all of these poor“ minorities ” would ever do anything like this. No. It’s just the evil ” rich, fat cats” and those ignorant Tea Baggers who should be investigated and keep under surveillance. Am so tired of the arrogance and the manipulation of the Far Left. Especially their control of the media.

    Report Post »  
  • trooper
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:08pm

    The apes would present no problem to a cool door gunner with a 50 Caliber “Mini Gun”, the apes would drop and bleed out where they stood. It’s comming to a neighborhood near you and sooner than you think.

    Report Post »  
  • antisocialist
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:07pm

    This can’t be true. Firearms are banned in Merryl Old England. You can‘t expect me to believe that the Government can’t keep guns out of the hands of criminals.

    Report Post » antisocialist  
    • DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:18pm

      How do you think we were founded?  By “criminals” shooting. You are talking about England not the US. They were a cradle to grave society and now the gov is pulling out on promises that never should have been made. You reap what you sew.  

      Report Post » DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 9:24pm

      The UK spring…call in NATO

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:07pm

    Just goes to prove, that the good without guns are nothing more then target practice from the criminals.. and this is what the Obama administration wants to do to us!!

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
    • concealled9mms
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:17pm

      what we can by any illegal gun we want from eric holder

      Report Post »  
    • JLGunner
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:43pm

      I will not be a part of baracks unarmed society. nor will I participate in his socialistic healthcare. come get me…..

      Report Post » JLGunner  
  • 1911HeadBanger
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:05pm

    You see…… Gun Control really works. The Good Guys have been disarmed. Only the Bad Guys have guns. Now don’t you feel safe? Government Dumbasses.

    Report Post » 1911HeadBanger  
    • Shasta
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:15pm

      The disarming is happenning here in the U;S;, only “Under the radar” as Obummer said to Jim Brady’s wife. This from the ‘most transparent administration’ ever

      Report Post » Shasta  
    • tarbush
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:43pm

      The bad guys with the guns will be used by the leftists as ‘useful idiots’ when they make their move to take over and eliminate the constitution. Why do you think they want to rest of us unarmed?

      Report Post »  
  • trooper
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:02pm

    It’s such a liberal metally difficiant country that they deserve what they get from all the filth they allow to imigrate to thier “cesspool” of a country. N-I-Double-Gerr-E-Rs again.

    Report Post »  
  • LowTechBackup
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:02pm

    so the mobs mostly wearing hoods and masks to cover their faces from video cameras are random?

    Report Post »  
  • BOMUSTGO
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:01pm

    Imagine how much more crime we would have if our police we unarmed? As someone once posted on another artical, “STOP!…. or I will yell STOP AGAIN!”

    Report Post » BOMUSTGO  
    • DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:13pm

      Imagine the cops fearing the people; as all government should.  That would clean up our arrogant pig force quickly. That is exactly why there are to be no permanent standing armies. We are a police state and the pigs are unconstitutional.  

      Report Post » DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 8:18pm

      DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator) <——Libertarian nutjob!

      Report Post »  
    • DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)
      Posted on August 21, 2011 at 5:47pm

      @vet
      I welcome ad hominem attacks as conceding the argument. Your surrender is accepted.

      Report Post » DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)  
  • BlesstheJews
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 5:56pm

    I saw footage of the punks throwing molotov cocktails at police vehicles and the police were swerving around them. They should just mow them down, that would curb the violence a bit.

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 8:49pm

      If you run over a rioter, you could be charged with a traffic violation and it goes on your permanent record. In the L.A. riots, it was ordered not to arrest anyone, just protect the looters and let them take what they want. Didn’t want them mad at us. Not kidding one bit.

      Report Post »  
  • 1TrueOne55
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 5:54pm

    And this is an example of why our 2nd Amendment should not be trashed. But with European Socialism the people and the POLICE have no right to defend themselves from “Armed” Thugs. I bet that King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table would roundly disagree with this culture.

    There would be heads rolling literally before even a court of law was imposed, judgement would be swift and brutal in a case of this nature. This is why Americans that cherish their second Amendment rights should keep at least a minimum of one “Hunting/Sporting Rifle” in the House so that you are prepared to defend yourself against the rabble of this type.

    Report Post » 1TrueOne55  
  • the58thstate
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 5:54pm

    unarmed police! i guess this is the proverbial bring a stick to a gun fight policy the britts are using and as we can tell its working great. i have a small suggestion for them…arm your police before you send them into a riot you idiots!

    Report Post »  
  • StrongWesternbabeluvinherWesternMAN
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 5:53pm

    time 4 these punks to dance to the tune of a few bullets…..

    Report Post »  
  • ddg7
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 5:53pm

    Some liberal lawyer must have written the rules of engagement! My advice is if you see someone with a gun take them out and then hope someone else in the gang picks up the dead dudes gun and keep repeating.

    Report Post »  
  • StrongWesternbabeluvinherWesternMAN
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 5:51pm

    time for these kids to dance around a few bullets then send in a few hungry pit bulls…….they would be begging to go to the hoosegow.

    Report Post »  
  • Flybot
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 5:50pm

    I suggest they arm themselves

    Report Post » Flybot  
  • Redistributor
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 5:49pm

    Time to bring the HAMMER down on these punks.

    Report Post »  
    • boxofpens
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 5:56pm

      They need to start dumping or shooting some sort of dye on these thugs so they can be identified later. Even if they’re covered in clothes, it will rub off when they take they’re clothes off. Something that requires a black light or something so they don‘t know they’ve been marked. They all use their phones during the riots to take pics and vids, it will mark their phones as well when they touch them.

      Report Post » boxofpens  
    • boxofpens
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 5:59pm

      sorry… that should have read: “their” clothes. (sorry, I was so pissed I forgot to proof read) LOL

      Report Post » boxofpens  
    • barber2
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 6:13pm

      I hope Boxofpens is pursuing a career in law enforcement! Great suggestion to mark the beasts! One always has to stay one step ahead of the little miscreants!

      Report Post »  
  • Fly Old Glory 24/7 365
    Posted on August 20, 2011 at 5:47pm

    “ firing shots at unarmed police” Are you serious? Unarmed police?

    Report Post »  
    • 1TrueOne55
      Posted on August 20, 2011 at 5:59pm

      Yeah they have outlawed the public to own guns so they falsely believe that if they come to a scene like this that there are no guns available to the crowds and that reduced the percentages so they feel that they have good chance of not having the weapon that they bring being used to “Kill” someone else. They falsely believe the Commandment when it uses the work “KILL” when it should really read “MURDER” different meaning altogether.

      Report Post » 1TrueOne55  

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