Most wanted website helps catch criminals
Tips from the general public have resulted in the arrest of eight of Europes most wanted criminals, according to the latest figures.
Tips from the general public have resulted in the arrest of eight of Europes most wanted criminals, according to the latest figures.
Six months after the launch of the Europes Most Wanted Fugitives website, 14 of the listed offenders sought by EU member states have successfully been put behind bars.
In January, the European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams (ENFAST) supported by Europol created a dedicated new website where the public can help police trace the continents most dangerous criminals.
The website, which shares information on high-profile internationally wanted people, convicted of or suspected of having committed serious crimes or terrorist acts in Europe, is the first initiative on a pan-European scale to present a most wanted list on a common platform.
Europol says requesting the assistance of the general public has provided significant added value for capturing criminals on the run.
Through leads provided by the public via the online platform, European law enforcement were able to track down eight of the fugitives appearing on the website.
Six were in a different European country than where they were initially wanted. In total, 14 wanted criminals have been arrested.
Of the original fugitives on the list in January, 28 remain. There are currently more than 50 fugitives on the site.
Recent uploads to the list include: Slovakia searching for the leader of a violent criminal organisation; Belgium searching for a fugitive convicted to 25 years of imprisonment for multiple rapes; Denmark looking for two murderers; and Latvia for a robber.
Derek Ferguson, who is wanted by Police Scotland in connection with the June 2007 murder of Thomas Cameron near Glasgow remains on the list.
The list can be found at https://eumostwanted.eu/
Police Professionals article on the launch of the site can be found here.