Counter-terrorism police are now seized of the investigation into the attack with incendiary devices against a reception center for migrants in Dover, in the south of England, they announced on Tuesday (November 1st).
Evidence uncovered during the investigation suggests that the attack, perpetrated on Sunday, “probably would have been motivated by some form of hatred” most “at this stage, the attack itself is not considered a terrorist act”said the head of counter-terrorism for the south-east of the country, Olly Wright, quoted in a press release issued by Kent police.
This attack comes at a time when the number of Channel crossings in small boats is reaching record highs with nearly 40,000 crossings since the start of the year. Kent police have also released the identity of the man suspected of having committed the attack.
700 migrants forced to move
66-year-old Andrew Leak from High Wycombe, north-west London, was found dead in his car shortly after the attack. According to the British press, he would have ended his life. Information not confirmed at this stage by the authorities.
Late Sunday morning, around 11:20 GMT, several incendiary devices were thrown at a migrant reception center in Dover. The suspect had arrived alone by car before launching the devices. “Two officers from the center were slightly injured”, said the Kent police in its press release. Seven hundred migrants had to be taken temporarily to another site.
Police say a search carried out at a property in High Wycombe on Monday uncovered “several interesting items, including hardware under review”.
Suella Braverman under pressure
“There is nothing at this time to suggest that the man involved worked with anyone else.”, further specifies the press release. And “nothing suggests the existence of a broader threat at this time”also indicated Olly Wright.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman currently under pressure over her handling of the influx of migrants into the UK which she described as a« invasion »had told Parliament on Monday that the attack was not being dealt with “for the moment as a terrorist attack” by the police.
Roger Gale, elected from Kent to the House of Commons, told him that the suspect “had serious mental health issues”.