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The man who bombed a migrant centre drove 120 miles to carry out the attack as authorities investigated whether he was a Right-wing terrorist.
The 66-year-old threw three home-made petrol bombs at the Tug Haven processing facility in Dover, Kent, before driving to a nearby petrol station and taking his own life.
On Monday, police began searching his home in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, for clues to a motive for the attack.
Sources said that after throwing the bombs, he shouted “Do you know what you’re doing?” at coach drivers transporting migrants into the centre, before adding: “All your children should be raped and killed.”
Counter-terrorism police and MI5 were being kept informed of the investigation, which was being run by Kent Police.
Police will examine any electronic devices as well as written material that might explain why he carried out the bombing.
Detectives will also seek to establish if the suspect had links to extreme Right-wing terror groups. MI5 has said that a fifth of its caseload is now taken up with investigating possible Right-wing terror suspects.
The fact that the man drove from his Buckinghamshire home to carry out the attack suggested that he had planned the bombing in advance.
A source also claimed that he had previously been investigated for child sex offences and had threatened to take his own life while being questioned by police.
On Monday, reports suggested that the man was spotted on a reconnaissance mission on Saturday night prior to carrying out the attack the next day.
It was claimed that security staff spotted him driving his white SUV, a Seat Tarraco, around a car park opposite the detention centre, but did not report the sighting to police. The journey from High Wycombe to Dover takes roughly two hours.
Kent Police confirmed the man’s home was being searched, saying in a statement: “Kent Police officers investigating an incident at the immigration centre in Dover on Sunday 30 October 2022 are being assisted by colleagues from Thames Valley Police to carry out a warrant at a property in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, on Monday 31 October.
“Officers have confirmed that the suspect, found deceased at a nearby petrol station, is a 66-year-old man from the High Wycombe area.”
Counter Terrorism Policing South East refused to confirm whether it was involved in the investigation or the searches taking place in High Wycombe.
A spokesman said: “This incident is being investigated by Kent Police and as such we cannot provide any further details at this time. If the situation changes at any point, you will be updated.”
The incendiary devices were thrown at the Border Force migrant centre at about 11.20am on Sunday, causing a fire. Another device was found in the car and confirmed safe.
Two people inside the migrant centre reported minor injuries and the site remained open, although 700 people were moved to Manston asylum processing centre for safety reasons.
A Reuters photographer said that a man, described as a white man wearing a striped top, threw petrol bombs with fireworks attached.
The person, who has not been named, then drove to a petrol station close to Tug Haven processing facility in Dover and ended his life.
A source said that the suspect had been spotted doing a “recce” of the car park the night before.
They said that the next day he returned to the scene, threw the bombs and then hurled abuse at the coach driver before travelling to a local BP garage.
It is believed the suspect was known to a police force near his home prior to the attack.
The source said that the suspect had recently been questioned by officers regarding sexual offences against children, but it is unclear whether he was charged.
The suspect reportedly threatened to take his own life while being interviewed by police, prompting officers to place him under supervision.