Police test stink bombs as weapons

Water cannon, long-range chemical weapons and even bean bags capable of felling suspects at 20 feet are being considered as weapons for use by the police, Home Office research reveals.

Mounting public concern about recent deaths at the hands of armed police has given added urgency to studies into a range of "less lethal" technologies. Scientists have been testing weapons which use chemicals, water, tranquillisers, noise, stink bombs, glue, lights and lasers to keep the peace.

The latest evaluation by the Police Scientific Development Branch reveals some have already been ruled out as too risky or unreliable, but five "Category A" technologies will now undergo exhaustive tests and a full medical review.

Water cannon: selected for "further and immediate investigation". First considered after riots in 1981, they were not adopted because of fears they would cause serious injuries.

The report is enthusiastic after studying their use in Northern Ireland, Belgium and Germany. Belgium - which used water cannon against English football fans in Euro 2000 - has not reported any fatalities or injuries in 14 years. Water jets are fired in 10 to 15 second bursts and can keep people at bay at more than 40 metres. They are fitted with video monitors and cameras and have features including a public address system, search lights and the capacity to fire chemical irritants or dyes.

Electrical Devices: Scotland Yard said last summer that officers could soon get stun guns to tackle armed criminals. But it is clear that while "Taser" guns are seen as a viable alternative to traditional firearms, more research is necessary. The weapon temporarily paralyses by firing two small darts which penetrate up to two inches of

clothing and then deliver a shock that causes the victim to collapse.

Distraction/Disorientation Devices: such as lasers can be used to overload the senses, creating a dazzling after-glare, flash-blindness and irreversible damage to the eye. The report suggests they have the potential for a policing role, but warns of the possibility of retinal and nerve fibre damage as well as loss of sight.

Impact Devices: replace conventional bullets with projectiles including bean bags, "sock rounds" and rubber balls. Tests show "many rounds are highly inaccurate". They can also still kill or seriously injure if they hit the head, neck or spine.

One type of so-called baton round - plastic bullets as used by police in Northern Ireland - are already available to police on the UK mainland. Bean bags - square, rectangular or round fabric bags full of lead shot - are supposed to flatten on impact, but highspeed video camera footage reveals many hit the target edge-on or are still folded in half when they strike, so they hit with much greater impact than intended.

Long-range chemical delivery devices: such as CS spray have been selected as a priority for further research to see if officers can be armed with something capable of being accurately fired from farther away than hand-held sprays. Stink bombs and tranquillisers will be subject to longer term research, but six other devices have been shelved because they are too unpredictable, including stun grenades, glue and foam guns and nets and wire.

Also rejected are acoustic devices which can destroy internal organs and cause people in enclosed spaces to see apparitions.