[b]A shoulder-mounted laser that emits a blinding wall of light capable of repelling rioters is to be trialled by police under preparations to prevent a repeat of this summer's looting and arson.[/b]
[img]http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01967/police-riots-3_1967420b.jpg[/img]
[quote]The technology, developed by a former Royal Marine commando, temporarily impairs the vision of anyone who looks towards the source.
It has impressed a division of the Home Office which is testing a new range of devices because of the growing number of violent situations facing the police.
The developer, British-based Photonic Security Systems, hopes to offer the device to shipping companies to deter pirates. Similar devices have been used by ISAF troops in Afghanistan to protect convoys from insurgents.
The laser, resembling a rifle and known as an SMU 100, can dazzle and incapacitate targets up to 500m away with a wall of light up to three metres squared. It costs £25,000 and has an infrared scope to spot looters in poor visibility.
Looking at the intense beam causes a short-lived effect similar to staring at the sun, forcing the target to turn away.
"The system would give police an intimidating visual deterrent. If you can't look at something you can't attack it," said Paul Kerr, the firm's managing director, told The Sunday Times.
"If police spot someone trying to do something untoward, painting them with this would certainly make them think twice about it," he said. He said it could also be deployed during hostage rescues.
The Home Office has been considering new forms of non-lethal equipment since the August riots, with the limited range of tasers and CS gas leaving a "capability gap".
A Home Office spokesman said scientists at its Centre for Applied Science and Technology believe the use of lasers "has merit" and that it will be piloted by at least one police force. However, they will have to be satisfied the technology does not cause long-term health damage before it can be approved by the Home Secretary.
[/quote]
[url]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8949060/Police-to-test-laser-that-blinds-rioters.html[/url]
Breaking news, protesters have just invented a counter measure they call sunglasses
What if protestors bring mirrors?
Suddenly sales of sunglasses skyrocket.
What about possible damage to the eyes?
And what about non-protestors who happen to be there at the time these lasers are used? (Bystanders, people who work and/or live there, but aren't participating in the protest)
[QUOTE=Gordon Frohm;33672091]What about possible damage to the eyes?
And what about non-protestors who happen to be there at the time these lasers are used? (Bystanders, people who work and/or live there, but aren't participating in the protest)[/QUOTE]
This seems like a completely impractical idea that will never work. I can't imagine a way they could create a high powered laser that wouldn't do permanent damage to eyesight.
Not only that, but as I mentioned, mirrors could completely deflect it.
And I'd imagine as a counter measure the police would have to have their own eye protection to make sure they don't get blinded which in turn would hinder their vision as well.
I think the correct term for this type of weapon is a "dazzler".
Also I understand that it's wise to build up defences, and that they don't want any damage done by rioters/looters, but the second this gets abused against protestors we must develop a civilian countermeasure.
Also also, the number of lawsuits on the grounds of being blinded by lasers is going to SKYROCKET once this is used on the Occupy chaps, which is a very bad thing.
[QUOTE=Rofl my Waff;33672128]This seems like a completely impractical idea that will never work. I can't imagine a way they could create a high powered laser that wouldn't do permanent damage to eyesight.
Not only that, but as I mentioned, mirrors could completely deflect it.
And I'd imagine as a counter measure the police would have to have their own eye protection to make sure they don't get blinded which in turn would hinder their vision as well.[/QUOTE]
Or the police could bring mirrors to counter the effects of protesters mirroring the lasers.
[QUOTE=itzspacy;33672157]Or the police could bring mirrors to counter the effects of protesters mirroring the lasers.[/QUOTE]
Until the streets are packed with mirrors and there are lasers being deflected off everything.
[QUOTE=ironman17;33672129]I think the correct term for this type of weapon is a "dazzler".
Also I understand that it's wise to build up defences, and that they don't want any damage done by rioters/looters, but the second this gets abused against protestors we must develop a civilian countermeasure.
Also also, the number of lawsuits on the grounds of being blinded by lasers is going to SKYROCKET once this is used on the Occupy chaps, which is a very bad thing.[/QUOTE]
You could wear those photochromic glasses which alter their opacity depending on the light directed into
[QUOTE=cdlink14;33672072]Suddenly sales of sunglasses skyrocket.[/QUOTE]
Hmm, seems like a conspiracy to me...
They make these lasers to use on the rioters, so then the government sets up... uhh... Government Sunglasses stores or something, and bang: the government is extorting their rioting population with sunglasses that probably don't work against the lasers.
Seriously: I still think a good solution would be to just roll the military into these riots with their tanks and whatnot. No matter how ballsy you are and how much you know nothing will happen, a fucking tank rolling slowly towards you is gonna make you shit your pants
[img]http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100821113022/half-life/en/images/4/4b/Light_bridge_gt.jpg[/img]
Obviously they're trialling this since they want to make walls.
[QUOTE=itzspacy;33672157]Or the police could bring mirrors to counter the effects of protesters mirroring the lasers.[/QUOTE]When suddenly laser show.
[QUOTE=Rofl my Waff;33672169]Until the streets are packed with mirrors and there are lasers being deflected off everything.[/QUOTE]
Then all we need is a DJ and everyone will forget about the riot and start dancing.
[QUOTE=- Livewire -;33672305]Then all we need is a DJ and everyone will forget about the riot and start dancing.[/QUOTE]
Well a rave is pretty much just a riot with music anyway :v:
Safety glasses like these seem like a really good idea:
[IMG]http://www.desmoines-classifieds.com/Madison-County-/Industrial-Machinery-/United-brand-safety-glasses-i-o-mirror-lens-adimage.jpg[/IMG]
Not only do they effectively protect your eyes from all directions, the lenses also work a lot like mirrors.
[QUOTE=Rofl my Waff;33672040]What if protestors bring mirrors?[/QUOTE]
[t]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PpNKNkdKU6g/TE0f9mucuvI/AAAAAAAABMc/WLwzdynzBDg/s1600/rufio-11.png[/t]
Reminds me of that scene in the Captain Hook adaption with Robin Williams where the kid rebels reflect sunlight with a wall of mirrors, dazzling the pirates and leaving them defenseless. Google couldn't find an image of that scene tho.
One way mirrors on glasses, what now?
[QUOTE=BigBoom;33672253]Hmm, seems like a conspiracy to me...
They make these lasers to use on the rioters, so then the government sets up... uhh... Government Sunglasses stores or something, and bang: the government is extorting their rioting population with sunglasses that probably don't work against the lasers.
Seriously: I still think a good solution would be to just roll the military into these riots with their tanks and whatnot. No matter how ballsy you are and how much you know nothing will happen, a fucking tank rolling slowly towards you is gonna make you shit your pants[/QUOTE]
Wonderful fucking idea, waste the already-understaffed military on beating down their own friends and countrymen! that totally won't cause mutinies!
Or, you know, you could just legalize tear gas for the police to use and save millions on R&D.
[img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3655261/auto-darkening-welding-helmet-368766.jpg[/img]
Autodarkening welding helmet, conceals identity fairly well and shields the eyes
[QUOTE=Biotoxsin;33673796][img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3655261/auto-darkening-welding-helmet-368766.jpg[/img]
Autodarkening welding helmet, conceals identity fairly well and shields the eyes[/QUOTE]
Because every rioter is going to buy one of those.
next week:
Police trialling portable mass driver that 'pokes rioters ... and totally doesn't rip a 1 foot hole into their chests! Really!'
I'm pretty sure the Secret Service already has something like this.
Wasn't the U.S trying to make some sort of Microwave turret that gives people sunburns and deters them?
[editline]11th December 2011[/editline]
[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Denial_System]Here we go[/url]
[QUOTE=Biotoxsin;33673796][img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3655261/auto-darkening-welding-helmet-368766.jpg[/img]
Autodarkening welding helmet, conceals identity fairly well and shields the eyes[/QUOTE]
Looks more like a daft punk helmet than a welding helmet.
[QUOTE=AceOfDivine;33672304]When suddenly laser show.[/QUOTE]
Then suddenly Rave Show.
[QUOTE=Mort and Charon;33673900]Because every rioter is going to buy one of those.[/QUOTE]
No, they'll just loot them.
[QUOTE=The golden;33674457]Sunburns? It just warms up the layer under your skin surface so it hurts like fuck but doesn't actually burn anything.
[editline]11th December 2011[/editline]
The most effective form of riot control has already been proven multiple times to be water cannons. Why do we need all this high-tech bullshit when a simple water cannon can clear an area of rioters and put out any fires they start at the same time.[/QUOTE]
Who wouldn't want the job description of "Giant Microwave Operator" :v:
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