The Fugitive Active Search Team (FAST) has apprehended 6,208 fugitives since its inception on 25 August 1999.
The idea to create a special unit to track down fugitives was conceived by the College of General Prosecutors in November 1998. Following a pilot project in Brussels, the Federal Police launched FAST nationwide on 25 August 1999. The brigade had a remit to track and arrest escaped prisoners and convicts on the run in Belgium, while also pursuing globally-sought individuals hiding in the country.
Over time, FAST refined its objectives. By the end of 2016, Belgium's Federal Police service had developed a list titled 'Belgium's Most Wanted', featuring criminals subjected to hefty sentences or involved in severe crimes, such as terrorism cases.
Since 2019, the unit has privileged "quality over quantity". As FAST's head, Gerry Van Loock, stated during a presentation of the team's annual report in April, "it is more important to arrest one person sentenced to 20 years in prison than ten sentenced to two years."
Since 2020, FAST has also been lending support to other police services to prioritise the arrest of fugitives in ongoing investigations, particularly major players in drugs cases.
The team, which initially comprised seven operational members, has doubled over 25 years. In practical terms, FAST is managed by a police commissioner, aided by 14 police officers and two administrative staff members.
