Dover petrol bomb blast on immigration centre WAS a ‘terrorist’ attack after man launched three explosives

THE petrol bombing of an immigration processing centre in Dover has been declared a "terrorist incident" by police.

Officers working on the horror found evidence the attack in Kent last Sunday was motivated by an extreme right-wing ideology.

Andrew Leak is believed to have killed himself at a petrol station after throwing two or three "crude" incendiary devices at the Western Jet Foil site.

Counter Terrorism Policing South East said on Saturday that evidence from digital media devices discovered during the investigation suggest the attack was "motivated by a terrorist ideology".

Police added there was "an extreme right wing motivation" behind Leak's firebombing of the migrant centre.

Tim Jacques, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing said his team has seen an increase of individuals with "mental health concerns and a hateful mindset".

He added: "Assessing when this crosses the terrorism threshold is a complex process and needs to be carefully considered on a case-by-case basis.

"These decisions need to be determined by the facts, as far as they can be established at any given time.

"After considering the evidence collected so far in this case, whilst there are strong indications that mental health was likely a factor, I am satisfied that the suspect's actions were primarily driven by an extremist ideology.

"This meets the threshold for a terrorist incident."

Police said there is no evidence to suggest Leak, 66, was working with anyone else or that there is any wider threat to the public.

Facebook posts on a now-deleted account under the name of an Andy Leak from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, contain anti-Muslim sentiments.

Other posts complain about people claiming benefits if they do not speak English.

One, shared on August 9, said: "The next time the job centre sanctions your money for not looking for enough work...

"Ask them about the thousands of people getting benefits cannot speak English and can not write English, how are they looking for work?

"Unemployment benefits clearly state you cannot claim benefits if not looking for work, all of these people should be excluded from benefits.

"You can clearly not look for work if you cannot read English or speak English, they are breaking the law, time to stand up."

Another post, on July 24, said: "All Muslims are guilty of grooming, they never spoke out because it wasn't their daughters, f****** animals wake up up.

"They only rape non-Muslims that's a religious hate crime are you f****** stupid."

Two members of staff at the centre were left with minor injuries after police were called at 11.22am on Sunday morning.

Following the incident, 700 people were moved to Manston asylum processing centre near Ramsgate for safety reasons.

Police said the investigation is ongoing, including work being carried out on behalf of His Majesty's Coroner.