It is a project that emerged within the research field. Doctor Paolo Campana explains this with his work Breaking networks of youth serious violence carried out through the Nuffield Foundation.

Youth violence is a major public concern, both regarding young people as victims and as perpetrators.

Why is this important?

Previous research has focused on individual factors—such as trauma, adverse school experiences, and living in high-crime communities—that make young people more vulnerable to participation in serious youth violence. However, the role of the factors of how people relate and the networks in contributing to this vulnerability—who is connected to whom and why—remains under-researched.

The latest analyses on youth violence show that the way young people relate to each other is one of the most important factors in understanding both crime and victimisation. Beyond individual characteristics, the connections between people allow for the identification of risk patterns that can help better guide prevention and intervention strategies.

The study reveals that 42% of young people suspected of having committed a crime have acted in conjunction with at least one other person. This fact is especially relevant because the young people who are part of these networks are much more likely to be involved in knife crimes and to maintain links with organised crime groups. In fact, individuals more connected within the network present a much higher risk of carrying knives and participating in violent crimes than the rest of the analysed population.

The data also shows that the risk increases progressively as the number of connections grows. Each new identified accomplice significantly increases the likelihood of a young person engaging in violent acts, especially those involving the use of bladed weapons. Similarly, being connected to individuals who have been victims of violence also increases the likelihood of eventually perpetrating violence, a fact that highlights how it is concentrated and transmitted within certain social networks.

Another notable finding is the strong relationship between knife violence and other forms of serious crime. Young people involved in this type of crime show a higher participation in activities related to drug trafficking and a much stronger connection with organised crime groups. This indicates that knife violence often

forms part of a more complex criminal trajectory and is not an isolated phenomenon.

The study also questions the traditional separation between victims and perpetrators. As the severity of violence increases, it is more common for the same person to have been recorded both as a victim and as a suspect in different incidents. This coincidence is especially high among victims of violence with a knife, which reinforces the need to address these cases from a comprehensive perspective that combines prevention, protection, and intervention.

The most severely affected victims are also immersed in higher-risk social environments. A very high proportion of victims of violence with a knife have direct connections to individuals involved in this type of crime, a fact that suggests that victimisation is not random, but rather concentrated in certain social environments.

Finally, the data indicate that most of the violence among youths occurs between individuals with similar characteristics, particularly regarding age, gender, and ethnic background. However, approximately one third of the incidents involve both adults and minors, an aspect that requires specific protective responses. They also remind us that violence among girls represents a significant reality that is often overshadowed by strategies focused exclusively on boys.

Overall, the analysis demonstrates that social relationships are a fundamental element for understanding youth violence. Incorporating this perspective into public policies and police activity would allow for earlier identification of young people at higher risk and the development of more effective preventive measures before violence escalates.

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Child sexual abuse facilitated by digital technologies remains one of the main concerns of European authorities. Although the member states of the Council of Europe have made significant progress in the investigation of these crimes, the protection of victims, and the training of professionals, a new report from the Lanzarote Committee warns that there are still significant shortcomings, particularly regarding the response to self-generated sexual images by minors and the growing impact of artificial intelligence.

The report assesses the level of compliance with the 28 recommendations made in 2022 under the Lanzarote Convention, the main international treaty for preventing and combating the sexual exploitation and abuse of children. The conclusions show a positive development in various areas, but they also demonstrate that legislation and public policies have not yet fully adapted to new digital risks.

One of the main concerns of experts is that many countries continue to allow the same minors to be prosecuted for possessing or sharing sexual images that they themselves or their underage partner have generated. According to the report, nearly two-thirds of the analysed states maintain this legal possibility, while about half can also prosecute minors for disseminating their own intimate images.

The Lanzarote Committee considers that this response may be counterproductive, as it turns children who are often also victims into offenders. For this reason, it argues that, wherever possible, educational, preventive, and restorative measures should prevail over criminal sanctions. Only when these alternatives prove insufficient should recourse to the judicial route be taken.

The report also highlights significant developments in police investigative capabilities. In recent years, the number of countries that allow specialised cybercrime units to carry out undercover operations to identify online child sexual exploiters has nearly doubled. In addition, several states have increased the economic and human resources allocated to these specialised units.

International cooperation mechanisms have also been strengthened. More and more countries can prosecute their citizens or residents who commit sexual offences against minors abroad, even if these acts are not classified as crimes in the country where they occurred. Similarly, in many cases it is no longer necessary for the victim to file a complaint or for foreign authorities to initiate an investigation beforehand in order to take action.

Another positive aspect is the expansion of victim services. The number of countries with telephone lines and digital platforms tailored for children, where

they can receive specialised advice and help, has significantly increased. Funding allocated to social entities working on the prevention of child sexual exploitation and supporting victims has also increased.

At the same time, many U.S. states have strengthened the specific training of prosecutors, judges, police officers, and other professionals who can detect risky situations. However, the Committee notes that this training is not yet reaching all sectors related to childhood in a uniform manner, such as education, healthcare, social services, or sports and leisure activities.

The report pays special attention to the impact of generative artificial intelligence. Tools capable of creating hyper-realistic images and videos have increased the risk that criminals will produce child sexual abuse material without the need to obtain real photographs of the victims.

These synthetic images can be used to extort minors, emotionally manipulate them, facilitate grooming processes, or normalise sexual abuse behaviours. Its high quality makes it difficult in many cases to distinguish them from the real material, complicating both investigations and prevention strategies.

For this reason, the Lanzarote Committee and the Budapest Convention Committee on Cybercrime approved a joint declaration in June 2026 stating that images of child sexual abuse generated or modified by artificial intelligence—including those that are completely synthetic and do not depict any real minor—are already covered by both international conventions. Consequently, states that have ratified the treaties do not need to enact new specific laws to investigate and prosecute this type of material.

The conclusions of the report highlight that the fight against child sexual exploitation requires a constant updating of investigative tools, international cooperation, and victim protection mechanisms. At the same time, the emergence of artificial intelligence forces authorities to adapt their strategies to increasingly sophisticated forms of crime.

The message from the Council of Europe is clear: technology can become a tool for criminals, but it also offers new capabilities to detect and pursue them. Success will depend on maintaining a balance between effective investigation, the protection of children’s rights, and a proportionate judicial response, especially when those involved are minors.

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In recent years, the presence of children and adolescents on the internet has increased exponentially, especially on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Discord. This increase in digital activity has been accompanied by a worrying phenomenon: the dissemination of coded language used by adults with potentially dangerous intentions, often before the parents themselves are aware.

A revealing case is that of a 10-year-old girl who, in a conversation on TikTok, responded to a stranger by saying, «I am not a MAP». This term, unknown to many adults, means «a person attracted to minors». This type of language is part of a system of codes and euphemisms that allows certain individuals to communicate while avoiding detection by the moderation systems of the platforms.

The term «MAP» is not an isolated case. There is a complete ecosystem of words and codes that can appear in forums, social networks, or online communities. Examples include «NOMAP» (people who claim not to act on their attractions), «764» (a numerical code associated with these interests), or expressions such as «AOA» (age of attraction) and «AMSC» (adult-minor sexual contact). These seemingly innocent or technical expressions can conceal discourses or intentions that pose a risk to minors.

One of the reasons why children detect and understand this language before adults is their constant immersion in digital environments. Recent studies indicate that a significant proportion of adolescents spend a large part of their time online, even almost constantly. This continued exposure allows them to capture meanings from the context, even if they do not know their exact origin.

This phenomenon falls within what is known as «algospeak»: a form of communication adapted to evade automatic moderation systems. Users replace explicit words with codes, numbers, or memes, making the content more difficult to detect. This creates a gap between the control capacity of the platforms and the evolution of online language.

Potentially harmful contact processes often follow similar patterns. First, ambiguous or coded language is used to avoid suspicion. Then, an apparently innocent relationship can be established through comments or shared content. Gradually, the conversation shifts to private channels such as direct messages where oversight is less. In some cases, users create alternative accounts to avoid restrictions or bans.

In this scenario, the response cannot be solely reactive. That is, it is not enough to act only when a problem has already arisen. Research in digital security and education indicates that prevention is key. This involves training both adults and minors in digital skills that enable them to understand how platforms and their algorithms work.

For example, it is important that young people understand that the content they see is not always the result of an active search but is often recommended by systems that prioritise interaction and viewing time. This knowledge can help them better interpret why certain content appears and develop a more critical attitude.

It is also advisable to introduce conversations about coded language from an early age, especially at the end of primary school or the beginning of secondary school. Explaining why some people use euphemisms or codes can help minors identify suspicious situations and react appropriately.

Another effective strategy is to practice responses to uncomfortable situations. Phrases like «I don’t want to talk about this», «I’ll block you», or «I’m leaving the conversation» can provide security to minors and reduce the pressure to respond. Furthermore, it is fundamental to ensure that they understand that they have no obligation to be educated with strangers online or to share personal information.

The role of parents and guardians is also essential. Beyond controlling or limiting the use of devices, it is important to support minors in their digital experience. This involves taking an interest in what they do online, openly discussing the risks, and fostering a trusting environment where they feel comfortable sharing any strange or uncomfortable situations.

Ultimately, the digital security of minors requires a combination of knowledge, prevention, and communication. Encoded language is just one of the many ways in which online risks can manifest, but its subtle nature makes it especially difficult to detect. Therefore, awareness and ongoing education are fundamental tools to protect the younger generation in an increasingly complex digital environment.

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The proposal to explore renting cells in foreign prisons in order to address prison overcrowding has sparked intense debate in political, legal and public safety circles. With more than 82,900 inmates for some 62,000 available places, France is in a critical situation. According to data from the Council of Europe, it is one of the countries with the highest overcrowding rates on the continent, behind only Cyprus and Romania. Faced with this scenario, the executive is studying options that until recently seemed unthinkable.

The idea is not new in Europe. Between 2010 and 2016, Belgium rented 680 prison places in Tilburg, in the Netherlands, in a model in which Dutch staff operated under Belgian law. More recently, in 2021, Denmark signed an agreement with Kosovo to transfer 300 inmates there for ten years, at an estimated cost of approximately €200 per prisoner per day. These precedents demonstrate that the model is viable on paper, but they also highlight its practical limitations.

From a security and prison management perspective, the challenges are considerable. Firstly, there is the legal complexity: which legal framework applies? How are the fundamental rights of inmates guaranteed? The Belgian experience showed that specific staff training and close coordination between administrations are necessary. Secondly, logistical costs may be higher than anticipated, particularly with regard to transport, supervision and contract management.

Another critical factor is the impact on reintegration. Several prison system professionals warn that removing inmates from their family and social environment can hinder rehabilitation and increase the risk of reoffending. Visits are complicated by distance and, in some cases, by administrative requirements. Moreover, training and job placement programmes may lose their effectiveness if they are not coordinated with the labour market in the country of origin.

The debate also has a budgetary dimension. France already spends between €100 and €250 per day per inmate, depending on the type of facility. Outsourcing facilities may seem like a quick solution, but it is not necessarily more economical. In a context of pressure on public finances, any decision must be justified on the basis of cost-efficiency and long-term sustainability criteria.

At the same time, the judicial authorities have proposed building modular units for short sentences, while the President has reiterated his willingness to speed up the creation of 5,000 new places. However, trade unions and experts insist that expanding prison capacity does not solve the root of the problem: the excessive use of prison as a criminal justice response.

They propose promoting alternative sentences, mental health programmes and addiction treatment to reduce prison admissions and repeat offences.

The key question is whether renting cells abroad really enhances public safety or simply displaces the problem. European experience suggests that this is a complex measure, with operational and reputational risks, which can only work within a comprehensive criminal justice reform strategy. Without structural changes in criminal policy and reintegration, there is a risk of turning an emergency solution into an expensive and controversial stopgap.

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Chile faces a paradoxical situation in terms of public security: despite having relatively low crime rates compared to other Latin American countries, the perception of insecurity among the population is one of the highest in the world. This contradiction became the central focus of political debate and the presidential electoral campaign, to the point that security is today the main concern among citizens.

Kast’s victory in the recent elections reflects many voters’ response to issues such as public security, illegal immigration and perceptions of insecurity or disagreements with the current economic or social model, which were central themes of the campaign.

According to an Ipsos poll, 63% of Chilean adults identify crime and violence as the issue that concerns them the most, a higher percentage than in countries such as Mexico or Colombia, which have much higher homicide rates. Globally, Chile ranks among the countries most concerned about insecurity and also among those where fewer people feel safe walking around their neighbourhood at night, according to reports by Ipsos and Gallup.

Daniel Johnson, Executive Director of the Paz Ciudadana Foundation, points out that with 6 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, the country is far from leading the statistics on violence in the region or the world.

Historically, Chile already had higher levels of fear of crime than the objective data indicated. However, this phenomenon has intensified in recent years, requiring further explanation. Studies by the Paz Ciudadana Foundation show that women and lower socioeconomic sectors express the highest levels of fear, especially in areas where the state’s presence is perceived as weak.

Although thefts and attempted thefts affect approximately one third of households—a figure similar to that of previous years—, what has really changed is the nature of the crime. Violent crime has increased significantly: the homicide rate has nearly doubled in a decade, violent robberies have grown by 25% in eight years, and previously rare crimes such as extortion and kidnappings, have started to gain prominence.

This change in the types of crime has a strong psychological impact on the population. Johnson points out that uncertainty about how to protect oneself against these new crimes significantly increases the feeling of vulnerability.

Another key factor is the expansion of organised crime, with the emergence of new organisations that operate differently from traditional ones. There has been an increase in the use of firearms, a rise in planned homicides, and the presence of transnational groups, some of which are linked to foreign nationals, such as the well-known case of Tren de Aragua.

Although immigration did not show a direct correlation with the increase in crime until 2020, authorities and research centres now observe a clear relationship between certain types of crime and foreign organisations, which often exploit both migrants and the local population. This has reinforced the perception that immigration and insecurity are linked, fuelling public and political debate.

Fear of crime is closely linked to mistrust in security and justice institutions. When citizens perceive that the state is not protecting them adequately, the reporting of crime declines, weakening the system’s response capacity and further eroding its legitimacy. However, Chilean police forces have managed to regain some of the trust lost after the social unrest.

Gabriel Boric’s government responded with significant institutional reforms, such as the creation of a Ministry of Security and mechanisms for inter-ministerial coordination. These measures are designed for the medium and long term, but they contrast with citizens’ demands for immediate responses, such as more patrols, lighting and cameras, although these actions have limited impact if they are not accompanied by structural changes.

In this context, security became a central theme of the electoral campaign. All candidates incorporated the discourse of insecurity, validating and amplifying existing fears. Historically, right-wing parties have prioritised control and repression, while the left has focused more on social policies. Today, however, a logic of urgency prevails, favouring short-term measures over preventive and reintegration policies, which are essential for a lasting solution.

Moreover, violent events in the region, such as large-scale police operations in Brazil and US military actions against drug trafficking, reinforce fears that Chile may follow the same path.

Chile is not one of the most violent countries in the world, but it is one of the most fearful. This gap between reality and perception, fuelled by changes in crime, the presence of organised crime, institutional mistrust and political exploitation, poses a major challenge: how to respond to the emergency without giving up on structural, long-term solutions? The future of security in the country will depend on the ability to combine effective control, institutional reforms and social policies that tackle the root causes of violence.

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Between April and October of this year 2025, 91 prisoners were mistakenly released in England and Wales, according to recent data from the British Ministry of Justice. The figures come at a time when the UK government is facing severe pressure following several high-profile cases that have shaken public confidence in the prison system.

This is not an isolated incident: the trend in recent years is clearly upward. In the twelve months running up to last March, 262 inmates were released by mistake, an increase of 128% over the previous year. An alarm signal that points to a deep structural problem.

The Justice Secretary, David Lammy, has openly acknowledged that the British prison system is in a horrendous state. In their view, the 25% reduction in prison staff between 2010 and 2017 has left facilities without sufficient expertise or resources to manage such sensitive processes as releases.

Lammy argues that radical reform is needed and that only technology can prevent mistakes in the future. For this reason, the government has announced several measures:

• Creation of a team of data scientists to analyse historical errors.
• Investment of up to £10 million in new AI tools to reduce human error and replace outdated paper-based systems.
• A hotline to verify outstanding court orders prior to releases.
• Simplification of release policies to standardise procedures.

In addition, the government has pushed for an independent review, which is expected to present results next February.

The crisis has opened a new political front. The shadow justice secretary, Robert Jenrick, has accused the Labour government of generating confusion with its early release programme, created to relieve prison overcrowding. This system allows certain prisoners to be released after serving 40% of their sentence, instead of the usual 50%.

Jenrick believes that Lammy’s management is an absolute farce and that public safety is in jeopardy. In his opinion, the minister has lost control of the system and has been reluctant to publish the data.

Lammy maintains that the early release programme was inevitable because the Conservatives did not expand their prison capacity when they governed. Among the most troubling details, Lammy confirmed that three of the prisoners released by mistake are still at large:

• One initially arrested for not turning himself in to the police, released in December 2024.
• A prisoner for drug offences, released in August 2024.
• A perpetrator of aggravated burglary, released in June 2025.

One of them is foreign; the other two are British. In addition, authorities are investigating a possible fourth recent case, from 3rd November.

The situation has been intensified by recent cases that have filled headlines such as:

• Two prisoners mistakenly released in less than a week from Wandsworth Prison, who were eventually captured.
• The wrongful release of Hadush Kebatu, a migrant who had arrived in the UK on a dinghy and sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl while living in an asylum hotel. The case sparked protests throughout the country.

Kebatu was eventually deported, but the reputational damage had already been done.

The growth of release errors in British prisons is not just a statistic: it is the sign of a system close to breaking point. Lack of personnel, accumulated pressure, outdated processes and lack of coordination between institutions are problems that cannot be ignored.

Reform, therefore, is not optional: it is essential. And the future of the British prison system will depend, to a large extent, on whether the government is able to implement the announced measures and regain the confidence of an increasingly sceptical public.

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Europol supported eight countries in identifying and eliminating racist and xenophobic propaganda shared on gaming platforms. The referral action day, involving Denmark, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom, led to the referral of thousands of URLs leading to dangerous and illegal online material.

Carried out on 13 November 2025, this operational action by the European Union Internet Referral Unit (EU IRU) involved the referral of thousands of URLs leading to dangerous and illegal online material. This includes about 5,408 links to jihadist content, 1,070 links to violent right-wing extremist and terrorist content, and 105 links to racist and xenophobic content.

This joint action highlights the complexity of addressing terrorist, racist and xenophobic online content on gaming and gaming-adjacent platforms. The processes of creation and dissemination are layered and often involve multiple platforms. For example, content can be recorded within an online game (or its chat function), altered with violent extremist jargon, suggestive emojis, chants or music and then disseminated on a conventional social media platform.

During the weeks leading up to the action day, the participating experts examined various platforms widely used by youngsters and adults. Users of these gaming and streaming platforms may encounter a variety of dangerous and violent content.

For example, perpetrators recreate terrorist attacks, school shootings or execution scenes in a 3D game, edit the video with chants or suggestive emojis and disseminate it on various commonly used social media platforms for an even wider reach. Other gaming-related platforms intended for game streaming are misused to recruit minors into various violent extremist and terrorist groups or to livestream actual attacks and even suicides.

The target content during the referral action day was found on various types of platforms. Some allow players to broadcast their gameplay in real time and interact with their community via live chat, while others add on-demand videos. Illegal content was also identified on community platforms intended to facilitate the exchange of tips, news and discussions about video games. Lastly, there are hybrid or specialised platforms that combine streaming, community functions and game purchase options. Many accounts on these platforms may not be immediately recognisable as being linked to problematic content, while some even feature usernames and profile pictures with references to infamous terrorists.

EU IRU’s prevention activities are centred around three key areas: monitoring and analysis of online terrorist content, referrals and public-private partnerships. The forthcoming Transparency Report highlights activities carried out in these areas in 2024 and summarises the Unit’s efforts to reduce public access to terrorist content online. In addition, the report describes the activities of the EU IRU in support of the implementation of the Regulation on addressing the dissemination of terrorist content online.

This action day came about as a result of law enforcement authorities across Europe observing that a variety of gaming and gaming-adjacent platforms were being misused as venues for radicalising and disseminating terrorist content online. This abuse is also reflected in various investigations supported by Europol’s European Counter-Terrorism Centre. Prior to this action day, Europol experts organised several operational meetings and facilitated the exchange of operational information and best practices among the participating countries.

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An investigation by BBC journalists Ruth Green, Fiona Trott and Gerry Georgieva has uncovered a disturbing situation: children as young as four and five have been discovered with knives in primary schools in England. The data obtained shows that during 2024 there were 1,304 crimes involving knives or sharp objects in schools and colleges in England and Wales.

Worryingly, at least 10% of these cases involved primary-school-aged children. According to police forces, minors as young as four, five and six years old have been found carrying bladed weapons to class – in some cases, to show them to friends and in others, with threatening intentions.

Kent police responded to an incident involving a boy as young as four who had assaulted a classmate with a knife. In the West Midlands, another six-year-old boybrought a knife to class claiming he wanted to kill another pupil. In another case, a five-year-old boy came to school with a ten-inch kitchen knife.

Although these minors are not criminally responsible, as the minimum age in the United Kingdom is ten years old, the facts have caused concern among families and education professionals.

The debate has intensified in the wake of the case of Harvey Willgoose, a teenager killed by a classmate with a hunting knife in Sheffield. His mother, Caroline Willgoose, is calling on the government to install metal detectors in all schools to prevent further tragedies.

Several British schools have already begun installing metal detection arches. In Dudley, Beacon Hill Academy has recently incorporated this type of control. Some students admit that the arch generates some trepidation, but it also makes them feel more confident.

Sales of metal detectors in schools have tripled in one year, according to data from Interconnective Security Products, which sold 35 between March 2024 and March 2025.

The British Home Office has assured that it is on a mission to halve knife crime. Among the measures announced are Ronan’s Law, which tightens rules for online knife sales, and the Young Futuresprogramme, which seeks to address the social and psychological causes of the problem.

Still, educators’ associations warn that more support for schoolsand prevention programmes are needed; a decade of cutbacks in community policing and youth projects has left many schools alone in the face of this crisis, according to Pepe Di’lasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders.

Some teenagers admit to bringing knives to school out of fear. Experts such as Trevor Chrouch, who works with at-risk youth in Sheffield, point out that many of these kids are not looking to cause harm, but to feel safe; for them, carrying a knife is as commonplace as carrying a mobile phone in their pocket.

Professionals agree that more emotional education, extracurricular activities and mediation programmes are needed to prevent these behaviours. As one teenage girl interviewed says: «They don’t teach us how to defend ourselves or manage emotions. Just science, but not how to live life».

The knife phenomenon in British schools is a reflection of a deep-seated fear among young people and an education system that needs more social and emotional support. Security measures are a necessary step, but not enough: the solution is to educate, listen and protect before it is too late.

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The shift towards a future based on renewable energy presents significant challenges, one of the most pressing being energy storage. Worldwide, battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming increasingly common, but their rapid growth has raised significant concerns about their safety.

In New York City, Councilman Robert Holden warns that the proliferation of BESS centres, especially in the Staten Island district, is endangering residents and critical infrastructure.

According to researcher Emma Woollacott, BESS centres use thousands of lithium-ion batteries, similar to those found in laptops and electric cars. These batteries are stored in large metal containers and allow for the conservation of energy produced by renewable sources for use when needed.

To achieve the zero emissions targets by 2050, large-scale storage is essential. Sources such as solar or wind generate energy intermittently, and a way to store their surpluses is required.

According to SolarPower Europe, in 2024, 21.9 GWh of battery storage was installed in Europe, enough to power around 16 million households. But this is just the beginning: by 2030, the European Union needs to multiply that capacity by 10.

Despite the advantages, technology is not without risks. One of the main problems is the possibility of severe fires, such as those that occurred in Essex (United Kingdom), Liverpool, and recently in California, where a fire at one of the largest facilities in the world forced the evacuation of 1,500 people.

The usual cause is the phenomenon known as thermal leakage, which can be caused by short circuits, physical damage, or manufacturing defects. This process causes batteries to release heat, flammable and toxic gases, and under unfavourable conditions it can generate chain explosions.

BESS facilities can contain millions of battery cells, and if they are not well protected, fires can spread easily, warns Professor Robert Dryfe, an expert in physical chemistry at the University of Manchester.

In addition to fires, there are also social and environmental concerns: from the impact of material extraction such as cobalt, to the saturation of electrical networks in countries such as Germany.

In the United Kingdom, communities such as Aberdeenshire in Scotland are protesting against new proposals for BESS centres. Marguerite Fleming, a local activist, complains that the promoters do not take into account the risk of forest fires or floods.

Blackford Renewables, the promoting company, has promised to collaborate with the community and apply the highest safety standards.

Currently, there is no unified regulation at the European level regarding the quality and maintenance of BESS systems. Each country follows its own protocols, which, according to SolarPower Europe, hinders deployment.

However, countries such as China, the USA, the United Kingdom, and Australia are already working on technical guidelines to improve safety. New technologies are also being implemented with automatic fire suppression systems and batteries that are less susceptible to combustion.

Despite the risks, experts agree on one thing: the energy future will require storage and batteries are, for now, the best option.

We use more renewable energy, which means that we need greater grid-scale storage capacity. Basically, we have no other choice, concludes Dryfe.

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The smoke from the wildfires that swept through Los Angeles last January smelled of plastic and was so thick it obscured the ocean. Firefighters who fought the blaze developed instant migraines, coughed up black goo, vomited and fell down dizzy.

Seven months later, some still wake up startled by attacks of wheezing during the night. It is unthinkable that urban firefighters – those American icons that occupy a dominant position in the public imagination – would enter a burning building without wearing a mask. But across the country tens of thousands of wildfire fighters spend weeks working amid toxic smoke and ash, protected only by a handkerchief or nothing at all. This is how researcher Hannah Dreier explained it in The New York Timesin late August.

In the past, wildfire fighters were seasonal workers who alternated deployments with other jobs. It is possible that they suffered only a few days of intense smoke during the year and had winter and spring to recover. Now, as drought and extreme heat increase, wildfires in the United States are starting earlier, burning longer and spreading further. As a result, firefighters often work almost year-round and, as a consequence, many of them are getting ill.

For decades, studies have consistently linked increased exposure to smoke from wildfires to increased cardiovascular and pulmonary problems, cancer and premature deaths. The Forest Service’s own investigators – the U.S. Department of Agriculture agency in charge of managing U.S. forests – have themselves warned of the effects of smoke and have called for providing firefighters with face masks, monitoring their exposures and long-term monitoring of their health status.

Countries with large wildfire seasons such as Canada, Australia and Greece have begun to distribute half-face respirators with replaceable filters, such as those used by painters and demolition crews. In laboratory tests, they puff about 99% of the toxic particles in the smoke. Disposable N95 masks are almost as effective.

But, year after year, the Forest Service sends firefighters into the smoke with nothing to prevent them from inhaling the poison. The agency has opposed equipping firefighters with masks; it publishes safety manuals that do not mention the long-term dangers of smoke exposure, and it does not allow workers to wear masks on the front line, even if they want to.

In a statement the Forest Service has said it wants to protect its crews, but the masks pose too great a risk to firefighters because they can overheat during the strenuous work they must perform to contain a wildfire. Instead, they propose that supervisors move them away from dense smoke and set up sleeping camps in places with cleaner air, when possible.

Respirators are a potential tool for reducing smoke exposure, but regulatory and logistical problems make widespread use impractical.

Researchers in countries that already use face masks have stated that they have not observed an increase in cases of heat stress. Firefighters slow down or remove their masks when it gets too hot, they said. The Forest Service continues to monitor international practices and research.

Internal records, studies and interviews with current and former agency officials reveal another motivation: adopting the masks would mean admitting the danger of wildfire smoke.

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