It seems a new sort of weapon will be hitting the streets of London, in time for the Olympics...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18042528

Now, I'm not particularly aware of what this weapon is/how it works (though I think I can guess). But it strikes me, there's a lot of police time spent on 'anti-social behaviour'. Be it chavs knocking the shit out of other people(s houses), people getting blindly drunk at the weekend, and so on.

Why not use a tool like this to compel unwilling people to behave?? And move on/go back home/stop being bullying and threatening?? You give a crowd of people a warning first, and let them see what would happen if they don't comply. Yes, there will be some people who could be unintentionally caught in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

But many hundreds of wasted hours of police time would be saved - so they can actually attend crimes where people's lives are at risk - instead of dealing with drunks/people who should know better.

What do you think??

I think this stew is too rich for me, brother

It's a sign of the times. A generation ago this kind of stuff wasn't even needed. Things aren't going well in the world.

The cynical side of me thinks there's been such an upward, and increasing focus on 'rights, rights, rights', human rights, asylum-seeker's rights, 'underprivileged' people's rights that countries have lost focus on what is actually important. Like consideration, respect, and trust. The last one being the most important, IMO.

Some governments are trying to teach social cohesion in the hope it can be learnt - passively. I think it has to be instilled, rather than taught. With a fear of consequences. And if there's no fear of consequences, then people can, and will do what they like. Whether it's low-level like parking all over the street, or killing, robbing, and looting stuff.

It's all in preparation for the return of our saviour, Jesus Christ. Praise be!

They've been saying that for 2000 years. And again about 12 years ago, I seem to recall...

Don't you think police forces here or in Europe would have used this technology in the mob situations of the 60s/70s if it were available?

I don't think they were as worried back then as they are now. And not just the police forces.

It's a hefty (40kg), highly specialised and probably very expensive loud-speaker. They are not going to be standard issue to police forces.

It'd be infinitely cheaper, and likely just as effective, to give out airhorns to officers on the beat.

I think you do have a point here (and a commendable turnaround by you, who lauded EHR not so long ago): In this country we used to have freedoms (when Common Law was *the* rule of the land) instead of 'rights'. In others words that which was not prohibited by law, was permitted. This meant we generally had that consideration and respect (live and let live) and that trust (guitly and proven innocent.), The problem with granting 'rights' (as championed by the beloved Limp Dims) is that it takes away the notion of individual responsiblity. So rather than having respect for others; people can just say "it's my right to do X, innit" (especially when so many 'rights' are vaguely written), rather considering how their behaviour may impact on others.

I don't think what you have written is cynical Jumbler, reflection of reality. Although if we want consideration, respect and trust, then dropping the cynicism is always a good start for all of us. If we think things are getting worse, then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy-- and cynicism breeds cynicism. If we wishes the world to become a better place, then we have to lead by example. As Ghandi once said:
"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty"

Things are getting worse in the world? Episodes of civil disobedience and anti-social behaviour are nothing new is this country. Roman leaders often described the British as an unruly bunch. C17th saw riots. The Metropolitan Police was set up to counter civil unrest in London during Victorian times-- plus ca change! I'm sure if look elsewhere in the world, as Kev rightly touched on, even in the USA, we'll find episodic incidents of such behaviour throughout history. Although slap wrists; you fall for that American trap about talking in terms of "Europe"-- what makes you generalise for the continent in this instance? Police forces widely vary in terms of toughness across Europe; we're very 'soft' compared with say Ukraine.

Anyway: Are things really that bad in the world and drastic measures are needed-- or do our demagogue leaders wish us to be ovine and believe that? So they can do posturing gimmicks to impress-- and to grab more power for themselves? And if things are really getting worse, could it be because governments are becoming more authoritarian, rather the 'plebs' are getting more uncouth? If people feel powerless, their only recourse is civil disobedience.