Editing Riot control (section)

===Pepper spray===
[[File:Polizist Pepperball Dresden.jpg|left|thumb|A German [[SEK (Germany)|SEK]] operator in riot gear holding a Tac700 Pepperball Launcher]]
{{Main|Pepper spray}}

The active ingredient in pepper-spray is [[capsaicin]], which is a chemical derived from the fruit of plants in the ''[[Capsicum]]'' genus, including [[chili pepper|chilies]]. Desmethyl{{shy}}dihydro{{shy}}capsaicin, a synthetic analogue of capsaicin also known as pelargonic acid vanillylamide or PAVA, is used in another version of pepper spray known as PAVA spray and used in the [[United Kingdom]]. Another synthetic counterpart of pepper spray, [[pelargonic acid morpholide]], was developed and is widely used in [[Russia]]. Its effectiveness compared to natural pepper spray is uncertain and it reportedly has caused some injuries. When undesirables threaten an area, such as a riot after a soccer game, riot police are called in to subdue them. In these situations, the police may use pepper spray, or water cannons to neutralize the threat.

Pepper spray typically comes in canisters, which are often small enough to be carried or [[concealed weapon|concealed]] in a pocket or purse. Pepper spray can also be bought concealed in items such as [[finger ring|rings]]. There are also [[Pepper-spray projectile|pepper spray projectiles]] available, which can be fired from a [[paintball gun]]. Having been used for years against demonstrators, it is increasingly being used by police in routine interventions.