[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/16137543

A new laser designed to temporarily blind people is going to be trialled by police.

Called the SMU 100 it costs £25,000 and sends out a three-metre "wall of light" that leaves anyone caught in it briefly unable to see.

Designed by a former Royal Marine Commando, it was originally developed for use against pirates in Somalia.

Its makers claim an unnamed police force is set to trial the device which could be used against rioters.

Since the riots in several English towns and cities over the summer there has been extensive examination of the tools and tactics police use for large-scale crowd trouble.

While tasers and CS gas work well over short distances the laser is said to be effective at up to 500 metres (1,640ft).

The problem is that, once the police have a weapon like that, they will use it in less than demanding circumstances, as they do with tasers .....