U.K. police to get a James Bond-style laser gun to keep rioters at bay

A shoulder-mounted James Bond-style laser rifle is getting ready for the U.K police to deal with on-street riots. The £25,000 laser gun can temporarily blind rioters making them unable to continue in the destructive activities.The tool was developed by the scientists to help police prevent the repeat of August 2011, London riots. The technology is awaiting tests from the Home Office to see whether it will cause any permanent health problem to the affected.

A James Bond-style laser rifle to tackle riots

The equipment was originally designed to repel pirates from vulnerable cargo vessels. Scientists are now working to build it up as a shoulder-mounted tool for the police and armymen. This rifle-like equipment can hit target 500 meters away with a wall of light up which is four meters wide. Anyone looking towards the weapon will get their vision impaired temporarily.

The laser weapon was developed by a former Royal Marine commando in association with a U.K firm, Photonic Security Systems. Government scientists are quite impressed by the initial trails of this rifle. However, the Home Office has suggested to profoundly test whether it could be used in the armory to tackle riots in the streets. It is also required to test whether the gun will harm the health of victims permanently.

According to Paul Kerr of Photonic Security Systems, the effect of looking into the weapon is just like gazing into a low sun on a winter day. Nevertheless, it will impair the vision of victims for a period of time. Thus, police can prevent assaulters from continuing the activities they are involved in. As per reports, the tool could be included in the list of Home Office’s new line of non-lethal weapons to contain riots and other violence on street.

But the Home Office strictly wants to test such tools to make sure that they are safe for use. The department has requested developers of such weapons to provide sufficient guidelines on their usage. A spokesperson of the department has stated that the laser technology could be deployed to develop modern weapons on restrain riots.

Laser dazzle technology is the one that has been recognized as holding some merit. However, prior to any police deployment a number of things need to be done to assess the technology's suitability. It seems that U.K. Police Department is seriously working out to develop tools and arsenals to keep off large riots that recently plagued the streets of London and neighboring cities.

Via: DailyMail