Obviously the recent London riots shocked the world, and governments are likely to be researching ways to either prevent the same thing from happening again, or to reduce the effect if it does happen.

The answer could be this - the Active Denial System, which is a method of crowd control that works by firing high-frequency electromagnetic radiation at the crowd, causing intense pain to be felt by those in the firing line. This would cause the group to disperse, and reduce the damage caused.

The Active Denial System is also relatively harmless, with a low probability of injury.

Are heat rays the future of policing? Discuss.

Absolutely not.
There were times where such machines would have caused huge protest waves. This basically allows governments to control and suppress the masses. Do you really think this is a good idea?

Neh.. riot control methods are fine now.. it's just the English not knowing how to use them..

Would you rather that the masses caused harm to others? At least this way we're harming the people that deserve it

Spray the crowd with machine gun fire ;_;

Not only would that stop the riot relatively quickly but it would also serve as a deterrent to future riots

Plus it's a lot more humane than spraying everyone with radiation and giving them cancer

Video is short and worth watching as it explain how it works a lot better than the original post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmuyLIrSjxI

I love to think that next time I go on a peaceful war protest that this ominous beast will be there to increase tensions and hostility. Even more than the usual full armored beasts with guns and batons riding on horses.

But imagine its potential against non-peaceful protestors?

I would only say it is reasonable in the most extreme cases like the London riots, but I do not trust my government to not use this in places were civil crowds are incited towards fear and loathing because of the governments  show of power and control.

Well if they were actually allowed to use the water cannon and rubber bullets, then they wouldn't need this. They have the equipment, but they are not allowed to use it, as people will complain about police brutality, despite it just being a response to illegal behaviour

TadpoleJackson said: Spray the crowd with machine gun fire ;_; Not only would that stop the riot relatively quickly but it would also serve as a deterrent to future riots Plus it's a lot more humane than spraying everyone with radiation and giving them cancer

This.  It'll make sure citizens will think twice before starting a riot.