Counterterrorism police probe Dover immigration centre firebombing

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Counterterrorism police are now leading the investigation into the “hate-filled” firebombing of an immigration centre in Dover.

The suspect in the attack has also been named as 66-year-old Andrew Leak from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, 120 miles away from where the attack took place.

A man threw up to three firebombs at the immigration centre in Kent on Sunday, before killing himself nearby.

Two members of staff suffered minor injuries from inside the Western Jet Foil facility.

A property in High Wycombe was searched on Monday as part of the investigation into the attack. A number of items of interest were recovered in the search, including digital media devices.

Counter Terrorism Policing South East, which had been working with Kent Police, said it had taken over the probe on Tuesday.

“We understand that when counterterrorism policing become involved, it can be worrying for some people, but I would like to reassure people that there is nothing to suggest any ongoing wider threat at this time,” Detective Chief Superintendent Olly Wright from the unit said.

“What appears clear is that this despicable offence was targeted and likely to be driven by some form of hate-filled grievance, though this may not necessarily meet the threshold of terrorism.

“At this point, the incident itself has not been declared a terrorist incident, but this is being kept under review as the investigation progresses.”

The investigation was launched after a man threw firebombs at the Western Jet Foil immigration centre, where asylum seekers rescued from the Channel are processed.

Officers were called to a road by the site on Sunday morning, where two to three incendiary devices had caused a fire.

Police said the suspect was very quickly located at a nearby petrol station, where he was confirmed dead. Another firebomb was found in the car.

Kent Police said there was nothing to suggest that any other people had been involved in the planning of the firebombing.

Mr Wright said:“This was a traumatic incident for everyone involved and the wider community, and we’re working hard to establish exactly what led to the events on Sunday morning.”