The aim of this dissertation is to provide answers as to what constitutes an “ideal” response to rioting and how this can be achieved. This study explored the pillars of riot theory and presents arguments regarding the policing and social control of rioting. Through exploring different theoretical perspectives on policing strategies and the impact of social control on protest and rioting it was found that an ideal response to rioting is one that protects the right to protest, maintains police legitimacy and is based upon an evidence-based approach to rioting behavior from both a policing and criminal justice perspective. These arguments regarding the policing and social control of rioting were then applied to two highly publicized riots, the 2011 England riots and the 2021 United States Capitol riot in order to conclude on how the response of each jurisdiction aligned with an ideal response to rioting. The analysis of these State responses to rioting found that neither jurisdiction fulfilled the criteria to be considered an ideal response to rioting. The responses of each jurisdiction to examples of rioting were then compared using the parallel topical comparison method which found that both jurisdictions shared many similarities in their response to rioting. In concluding this dissertation recommendations were provided on how these responses could be improved and how ideal responses to rioting could be achieved.