Birmingham becomes official City of Sanctuary for refugees

Refugees from Syria try to organise the queue as they wait to cross into Croatia through the Serbian border on 25 September, 2015 in Bapska, Croatia (David Ramos/Getty Images)

Birmingham has become an official City of Sanctuary for refugees fleeing war torn countries such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

In a formal ceremony, Birmingham city council announced it would join more than 40 other locations across the country in the City of Sanctuary movement.

The council proposed the idea after a campaign to make Birmingham part of the scheme.

The movement is designed to help place refugees in homes that have space to accomodate them.

It also looks to integrate them into the community, with the council encouraging community associations, sports clubs and other local groups to join in welcoming refugees.

Speaking at the formal ceremony, Councillor Shafique Shah said: “Refugees, like other new arrivals from overseas, have made a huge contribution to our diverse city,” he will say.

“But on arrival they all need help to understand our way of life and to integrate into our community.”

Birmingham's council had already agreed to rehome 50 Syrian refugees, and hopes to find spots for many more through the City of Sanctuary programme.

The announcement comes following a International Rescue Committee call for Britain to house more refugees after MPs voted in favour of the UK carrying out air strikes in Syria.