Yes it's the most useless riot fence ever constructed. It does provide a few options though:

1. Pepper spray. Bring a gas mask and sealed eye wear.
2. Pepper shot balls, wear a canvas layer or just something thick as well as having the above.
3. Water guns.

If you're prepped for 1 and 2 you're fine.

The 4th option is the directional heat gun, I haven't got a counter to that thing yet but deploying it safely isn't exactly easy for them either.