The BBC's Daniela Relph with footage of the arrest

David Adams, 43, and William Harding, 59, conducted a long series of armed robberies during which they terrorised members of the public and on one occasion shot and seriously wounded a security guard.

The arrest of the two men by members of the Flying Squad on 21 November 1997 was captured in dramatic footage which was shown to the jury during the seven-week hearing at Harrow Crown Court in west London.

The film shows Harding, who had already stolen £25,000 from a Securicor guard, being challenged while trying to escape by armed police officer DC John Reid.

William Harding: 39-year criminal career

The robber levelled his revolver at DC Reid, but was tackled from behind by DC Phil Judge and dragged to the floor by several members of the Flying Squad.

Adams, armed with a stun gun, surrendered quietly moments later.

Harding, from Hatch End, Hertfordshire, was convicted of nine offences and jailed for life with the recommendation that he serve a minimum of 15 years before being considered for parole.

Adams, from Barnet, north London, was jailed for life for three offences and must serve at least nine years before being paroled.

David Adams: To serve at least nine years

Both men were jailed under the "two strikes and you are out" Crime Sentencing Act, which brings an automatic life sentence for criminals convicted of two or more serious offences.

In sentencing Harding, who has a criminal record spanning 39 years, Judge Roger Sanders said: "On every instance you pointed your loaded weapon at an innocent victim and on one occasion you deliberately shot the victim.

"On another you pointed it at an armed police officer, risking his life and yours.

"Your behaviour throughout ... shows me in the clearest terms that you are a ruthless, heartless and hardened professional criminal who presents a permanent threat to society."

After the men were led to cells, the judge commended the bravery of the police officers, Securicor staff and members of the public.

Adams and Harding are believed to have netted £45,000 from the raids on Securicor vans, with another £143,000 potentially attributable to them for five armed robberies between May 1996 and November 1997.

These robberies have been "left on file".

Detective Chief Inspector Barry Phillips of Finchley Flying Squad praised his officers and welcomed the sentences.

"Flying Squad officers showed extreme courage in arresting both men.