Dover immigration centre petrol bomb attack suspect named
The 66-year-old man who threw petrol bombs at an immigration centre has been named.
Andrew Leak, from High Wycombe hurled the bombs with fireworks attached to them at the centre on Sunday morning.
He had driven over 100 miles from his home in Buckinghamshire to carry out the attack.
The investigation has now been taken over by counter-terrorism police, following initial inquries being lead by Kent Police.
Pictures show the moment he chucked two to three homemade explosives out of his car window.
MORE : Drivers stuck in nightmare Dover traffic jams turn roadsides ‘into public urinal’
MORE : Dead firebombing suspect in immigration centre attack was 66, say police
He then took his own life following the incident, police have said.
Another device was later found and confirmed safe within his vehicle.
Two people inside the immigration centre sustained minor injuries but the site remained open.
Leak’s home in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, was searched by officers.
Detectives found a ‘number of items of interest’ which included digital media devices which police are examining.
A spokesperson said: ‘Due to the nature of the evidence gathered so far, it is clear that officers with specialist knowledge, resources and experience are best placed to lead this work to determine the motivating factors.
‘There is currently nothing to suggest the man involved was working alongside anyone else, and there is not believed to be any wider threat to the community in the High Wycombe area or in Dover.’
Detective Chief Superintendent Olly Wright, Head of CTPSE, 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.
‘We understand that when Counter Terrorism 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.
‘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.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.