What is ENFAST?
The European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams (ENFAST) is a cooperation of specialised police officers supported by Europol to increase security within the European Union. ENFAST works as a network of highly-trained police officers, who are available 24/7 and can immediately undertake action to locate and arrest dangerous fugitives.
Through encouraging EU Member States to work closely together and share information via ENFAST, we improve our efficiency in tracing and arresting the most sought-after fugitives, wanted internationally for committing serious and organised crimes.
Europol's work with ENFAST
Europol works closely with ENFAST to promote the EU's Most Wanted list via an annual public appeal. Europol provides its Platform for Experts (EPE) to the national fugitive teams, enabling the exchange of non-operational information. Europol also provides support to the Europe’s Most Wanted Fugitives list, publishing it and updating it on its public website.
Europol has contributed to a new, even more action-based working together. In 2024, Europol coordinated an event at its Headquarters to chase wanted fugitives throughout the EU and beyond, a Trackathon. More than 90 participants from 33 countries took part in the first edition of the Trackathon, coming together over two days, law enforcement worked together to share information, leads and locate wanted fugitives.
The Trackathon resulted in the investigation of 59 high-level fugitive cases. Of those 59 cases, new leads were discovered in 50 investigations. There were 9 new location leads. All 50 cases with new leads were further handled on national level by the respective FASTs, resulting multiple arrests of most wanted criminals.
Europol facilitates the direct operational information exchange of the network by making a mobile and secure communication application available for all national fugitive units.
Cooperation results
The ENFAST cooperation results year by year in the arrest of approximately 400 serious criminals. More than 50 high-priority fugitives have been arrested as a direct result of their publication on the Europe’s Most Wanted Fugitives webpage.
General information
Back in 2010, 24 national fugitive teams of the European Union put forward an initiative to create a European network of national fugitive teams, to be called ENFAST. This initiative was adopted by the European Council on 1 January 2013. ENFAST is comprised of national FAST units in the Member States.
There is a rotating Presidency to ensure the continuation of the project and joint responsibility.
FAST Belgium held the first Presidency (2013-2014), followed by:
- FAST Germany (2015-2016)
- FAST Netherlands (2017-2018)
- FAST Croatia (2019-2020)
- FAST Spain (2021-2023)
- FAST Germany (2024-2025)
The Presidency holder organises Core Group meetings and General assemblies for representatives of the 27 EU Member States with Europol, Interpol, United Kingdom, US Marshals Service, Switzerland, Norway, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Canada and Australia as partners.