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Sutton Lib Dems and a Conservative councillor have called on the government to offer more help to refugees as the ongoing crisis in the Mediterranean intensifies.

But Sutton and Cheam MP, Paul Scully, said a balanced approach was needed by tackling the problem at the source and not encouraging human trafficking.

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Tim Crowley, leader of the Conservative opposition on Sutton Council, said that a difference had to be made between economic migrants from the EU and refugees fleeing conflicts.

He said: "I feel very sorry for the refugees, God knows what they have been through and in some cases I don't want to know.

"It is awful that is has taken the death of a child to get everyone talking because this has been going on for decades.

"But we also need be talking about sharing the number of migrants with other EU nations.

"Britain and Germany are playing by the rules, but countries like Spain, Italy and Ireland can do so much more for these people.

"There is a difference between economic migrants and refugees. These people need our help and we should be prepared to offer them that help."

Carshalton and Wallington MP Tom Brake, praised the government's response to the crisis in camps surrounding Syria, but was heavily critical of their policies closer to home.

He said: "Firstly I would like to praise the government for their response in the camps scattered across Syria.

"They are doing a substantial amount for people there, but I am concerned about their response closer to home and a lot more can be done.

"I think it is damming that Germany has taken over 800,000 refugees this year alone and that we have taken 25,000.

"And about 300 of those come from the most dangerous zones such as Syria.

"David Cameron said that if we take in more refugees we will not solve the problem and he is right on that point.

"But what it will do is save those people from a horrible situation and that is something we should be doing."

Kingston Council leader Kevin Davis urged people to open their homes to refugees from war-torn Syria.

Sutton and Cheam MP, Paul Scully, told the Sutton Guardian that the focus of support, whilst difficult, must be focused in Syria and that a balanced approach was necessary to avoid encouraging people smugglers.

He said: "Pictures of the child lying dead on a Turkish beach are harrowing.

"We must keep reviewing the numbers of refugees that we bring to the UK, but the solution lies in tackling the problem at source.

"Many children are being killed and orphaned away from the cameras in Syria.

"Working with our international partners for a lasting peace there, though not easy whilst Syria barely remains a single nation state, must remain the focus.

"The government is undertaking its biggest humanitarian initiative ever at a cost of £900m to help people fleeing for their lives.

"The UK has a proud record for helping refugees.

"Our approach needs to balance the need to support people in desperate need whilst not encouraging the pernicious work of human traffickers."

Ruth Dombey, leader of Sutton Council, told the Sutton Guardian that Sutton was ready to help and slammed David Cameron's policy towards refugees.

She said: "I feel strongly that the UK can't stand by and watch as people die and that the government has taken the wrong stance on this issue.

"We have a proud tradition of helping people who are in desperate need in this country.

"My own family escaped the pogroms in Poland at the turn of the 1900s and was welcomed into this country.

"We are currently making preparations should the government change its stance on refugees and would make adjustments when we have a confirmation of the numbers coming in.

"Our view is that Sutton stands ready to help."