SIR - "People will continue to cross the Channel in flimsy boats, and smugglers will continue to profit, unless ministers open up more routes for refugees to claim asylum here." So says Tim Naor Hilton, chief executive at Refugee Action (T&A, January 4).

But just hang on a minute. All these people are already in a safe country where they could, and should, have claimed asylum, and have probably passed through other safe countries as well.

As such there is no need whatever for people to risk their lives trying to cross the Channel, and if asylum rules need to be tightened because of this then so be it.

You cannot simply choose in which country you would like to reside and expect this to be accepted.

Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon