Riot

Riots occur when crowds of people have gathered and are committing crimes or acts of violence.

Related Topics:
Crowd - Crime - Violence

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Dispersing violent crowds is usually a task for the police, although widespread rioting may require military support.

Related Topics:
Police - Military

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"Less than lethal" weapons, such as water cannon, rubber bullets, pepper spray, flexible baton rounds and riot control agent, are often used to control crowds although in some cases the police themselves will instigate a riot by attacking an otherwise peaceful gathering of people (usually protesters).

Related Topics:
"Less than lethal" - Weapon - Water cannon - Rubber bullet - Pepper spray - Flexible baton round - Riot control agent

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Some repressive countries use deadly force to stop riots, particularly if martial law is declared or in a country at war. This is generally permissible under the laws of war so long as nonparticipating civilians are not intended targets. Collateral damage is a common result.

Related Topics:
Deadly force - Martial law - War - Laws of war - Collateral damage

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