Andrew Leak: Dover petrol bomb attacker resided in Wooburn Green

Andrew Leak, 66, was found dead in his car at a nearby petrol station following the attack in Kent where petrol bombs were thrown at a security checkpoint on Sunday morning.

The investigation into the attack is now being led by counter-terrorism police, and officers believe it was fuelled by "some form of hate-filled grievance".

The Bucks Free press understands Leak, who was reported by police to be from High Wycombe, was a resident in a flat at The Hawthornes retirement complex in Wooburn Green.

The Hawthornes in Wooburn Green (Image: Newsquest)

Kent Police said a search warrant was carried out at "a property in the High Wycombe area" on Monday, where a number of items of interest were recovered including digital media devices.

Thames Valley Police said that there is "nothing to suggest" Leak was working alongside anyone else, and there is not believed to be any wider threat to the local community.

Leak was described by North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale on Monday as having “severe mental health difficulties”.

Facebook posts on an account under the name of an Andy Leak from High Wycombe contain anti-Muslim sentiments and complaints 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.”

Andrew Leak, 66 (Image: Facebook)

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.”

Leak also shared an anti-royal family post on March 20, saying: “Prince Charles says he’s going to house Ukrainian refugees in one of his properties that belong to the British people, what about soldiers and members of the public sleeping in doorways? Disgrace.

“End the royal family now.”

Officers were first called at 11.22am to a Home Office immigration premises at The Viaduct in Dover after "two to three incendiary devices" were thrown at the centre by "a single suspect who arrived at the scene in a car".

Two staff members from the centre sustained minor injuries.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit attended the location to ensure there were no further threats.

A further device was found and confirmed safe within the suspect’s vehicle.

The site remained open, however around 700 suspected migrants were relocated to Manston to ensure safety during the initial phase of the police investigation.

The Hawthornes in Wooburn Green (Image: Newsquest)

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.”