Refugee crisis can be solved – by crushing IS

The photograph of a three-year-old Syrian boy found drowned on a Turkish beach must surely be a wake-up call. It has brought us up short and sharply, putting into perspective our petty complaints about migrants in comparison with their suffering.

Taking in refugees is just one arm of the strategy the international community needs to deploy. But the influx will continue unless the international community ends its differences to work for a common cause. What is vital is that problems in the Middle East are dealt with vigorously. Deploying an international force involving Europe, Russia, China and the United States is necessary to eradicate the poisonous presence of IS with its ruthless ideology. Elimination of this group would restore peace to the region and make it habitable once again for those who have been driven from their homes.

Denis Bruce, Glasgow Labour leadership contender Yvette Cooper wants 10,000 refugees to be taken in and paid for by local councils. The UK now has an astonishing 1,450 politicians spread across both Houses. Can I suggest that ten refugees be given to each politician to house, clothe and feed? This will allow the UK to take in almost 15,000 people. I just wonder whether Ms Cooper will be the first in line at Dover to collect her allocation?

Rosalind Pearce, Coleshill, Buckinghamshire Yvette Cooper’s call for every town to take in ten families struck a chord. We would welcome ten families to our village, and we are sure we could all easily provide for their needs in terms of clothes, furniture, bedding and food. It would be a pleasure to support desperate families. Donna and David Stephens,

Hamble, Hampshire Economic migrants trying to get to Britain should not be called refugees. They hop from one safe country to another. And they know that once they are in Europe they will not be sent home.

Colin Masterman, Bournemouth Migrants are heading here because they speak English. And who can blame them? I’d do the same to protect my family from danger.

Eleri Webber, Little Neston, Cheshire The EU’s open-borders policy has turned out to be a monumental failure. If this situation continues, Europe will be reduced to Third World status.

Paul Pritz, Wolverhampton