Police in Britain will soon be testing a shoulder-mounted laser that is capable of emitting a blinding wall of light from up to 500 metres away. It’s hoped the laser will help repel rioters and other troublemakers in an effort to prevent a repeat of the rioting that took place there earlier this year.

Looking at the laser beam will produce an effect similar to staring at the sun: it will force the target to turn away and possibly drop to the ground, immobilising them.

Photonic Security Systems, the British-based developer, is also hoping to offer the technology to shipping companies in an effort to deter potential sea hijacking by pirates.

Lasers… Powerful

International Security Assistance Force troops based in Afghanistan have already been using a similar device to discourage attacks from rebels.

Paul Kerr, Photonic Security Systems’ managing director:

The system would give police an intimidating visual deterrent. If you can’t look at something you can’t attack it.

If police spot someone trying to do something untoward, painting them with this would certainly make them think twice about it.

The device, that looks a bit like a rifle, and known as an SMU 100, isn’t cheap. It’s going to cost £25 000, but it does come with added technological aids like an infrared scope to spot troublemakers in poor visibility.

Aside from being able to be beamed from 500 metres away, it will also beam a mobilising radius of light up to three metre squared.

They will also be looking at adaptations of something called the “pain ray gun”, which is able to inflict pain from a distance using powerful beams of laser light or microwaves.

The Home Office, the British government department responsible for the police force, amongst other things, will have to be satisfied that the technology doesn’t cause long-term health damage before it will approve anything for commercial use.

[Sources: Telegraph, NewScientist]