Staffordshire welcomes its first Syrian refugees

Syrian refugees have been welcomed in Staffordshire Credit: PA

The first Syrian refugees to be housed in Staffordshire have arrived today. A total of ten people, a family of four and a family of six have been housed in the county as part of the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Scheme.

The arrivals come after months of work by Staffordshire County Council, district and borough councils and charity Refugee Action to ensure the county has everything in place for the arrival of refugees.

This includes providing a safe and secure environment with access to adequate medical provision, suitable housing, and school places, if needed.

County Councillor Mike Lawrence, Cabinet Member for Children and Community Safety said:

The Syrian VPS prioritises those who are most at risk and cannot be supported in their own country. The Home Office checks their eligibility to meet the criteria of the scheme, conducts thorough security checks and works with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to ensure that a full medical assessment is conducted prior to arrival in the UK.