Police Scotland Continues to Fast Track Fugitives to Justice
Police Scotland’s Fugitive Active Search Team (FAST) continues to ensure there is no hiding place for criminals who have sought refuge in another country.
The team of highly-trained detectives, formed in November 2019, have recorded outstanding results, working with law enforcement partners in the UK and abroad, to track down criminals who have fled Scotland and are wanted on International Arrest Warrants.
Based at the Scottish Crime Campus, officers work alongside specialist departments with access to innovative tactics, including advanced digital media investigators.
Scotland’s dedicated crime headquarters accommodates key partner agencies, such as the National Crime Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, UK Border Force, Forensic Services and specialist prosecutors.
Fugitives, who are wanted for serious crimes, have been brought back to face justice in a Scottish Court for the consequences of their actions.
FAST has been involved in the arrest and extradition of convicted murderers John Kennedy, Christopher Hughes, Jordan Owens and Thomas Duris as well as drug traffickers Mark Quinn, David Hough and Peter McConville - sentenced to a total of 113 years in prison for their crimes.
In addition to those captured and sentenced for their crimes, a number of individuals operating within Scottish organised crime groups have been arrested on International Arrest Warrants and are awaiting extradition. Others are due to appear in court.
Detective Chief Superintendent (DCS) Vicky Watson, Police Scotland’s Head of the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit and the senior officer responsible for FAST, said:
“The success of the team is testament to the perseverance, diligence and commitment of our officers who continue to work tirelessly to locate and bring fugitives back to Scotland to face the consequences of their criminal activity.
“Our officers are relentless in their pursuit of criminals who think they are untouchable and above the law or think they can evade justice by fleeing the country.”
Criminals have been successfully returned from countries previously regarded by them as a safe haven - including much of Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Vietnam, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates.
DCS Watson continued:
“Or team has established and maintains close working relationships with a wide range of international partners including Europol, INTERPOL, the National Crime Agency, Foreign Law Enforcement Community and European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams.”
As part of investigations into tracing fugitives, FAST has identified and developed further local and international lines of inquiry. This has resulted in the arrest and disruption of members of serious and organised crime groups in Scotland.
DCS Watson said:
“Police Scotland’s commitment to working in partnership with the members of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce is unwavering to ensure Scotland remains a hostile country for criminals to operate.”
The FAST is also leading Police Scotland’s ongoing hunt for Derek Ferguson.
DCS Watson said:
“The people of Scotland can be reassured that Police Scotland continues to use all investigative resources and intelligence techniques to track down fugitives who have fled Scotland. This includes Derek Ferguson who has been wanted for murder since 2007.
“Our message is clear to those involved in criminality, no matter the passage of time there is no hiding place for you in another country.
“Our FAST investigation will continue until Derek Ferguson is located and arrested. I am appealing for anyone who has any information about his current whereabouts to contact Police Scotland.”
