Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Police Test Laser to 'Blind Rioters'

British police try new technology after summer riots

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 12, 2011 6:12 PM CST

(Newser) – In the wake of this year's rioting, British police are testing a laser that would temporarily blind looters with a wall of light, the Telegraph reports. The $40,000 laser can reportedly reach people up to 500 yards away and spot them in poor visibility with an infrared scope. "If police spot someone trying to do something untoward, painting them with this would certainly make them think twice about it," says Paul Kerr, the head of the firm developing the device.

Unsatisfied with Tasers and tear gas, British officials are looking for new technologies to repel rioters—like long-range chemical projectiles and "wireless electronic interceptors" that can reach farther than Tasers. They plan to try the shoulder-mounted laser with at least one police force but want to see if it carries long-term health effects. London police are also considering buying three water cannons at a cost of $6 million.

British riot police arrive in front of a burning building in Croydon, South London on August 8, 2011. PHOTO/Carl de Souza
British riot police arrive in front of a burning building in Croydon, South London on August 8, 2011. PHOTO/Carl de Souza   (Getty Images)
A British riot policeman stands guard in front of a burning building and burnt out car in Croydon, South London on August 8, 2011.
A British riot policeman stands guard in front of a burning building and burnt out car in Croydon, South London on August 8, 2011.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
4%
4%
5%
14%
71%
2%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 50 comments
HappyHabenero
Dec 13, 2011 4:46 AM CST
bad idea...easily defeated by the properly polarized or coated sunglasses
truesoy
Dec 13, 2011 4:25 AM CST
...I can see the problem already in the not too distant future when the bad guys, and the not so bright, get a hold of this new weapon.
hidflect
Dec 12, 2011 10:18 PM CST
I thought up an idea 10 years ago for popup towers swiveling a strip of laser light to blind oncoming enemy troops but I was told it was against the Geneva convention. So I think this proposal might have problems... On the subject of police militarization, LA SWAT has more munitions and hardware than the Belgian Army.

More Newser Stories

Police Break Up Occupy London

British Cop Chases Suspect: Himself

UK Police Release Video of Rioters Firing Guns

2 Brits Get 4 Years for Pushing Riots on Facebook

Cameron Condemns UK's 'Moral Collapse'


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   Geek Sugar   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment