PASSIONATE residents have spoken of their desire to prevent a bombing campaign in Syria.

A packed meeting fronted by York Central MP Rachael Maskell saw hundreds of people turn out at Bootham School to give their thoughts on proposed RAF action against ISIL or Da’esh.

The Government has proposed air strikes in response to the Paris terrorist attacks on November 13, which killed 130 people.

Ministers will be asked to vote on action in Parliament this week, and Ms Maskell used the meeting to gauge opinion on strikes.

She said: “We need to make sure that we don’t heighten the risk of any situation in this country.

“In London just 10 years ago the situation hit me personally when one of my reps was killed on the bus in Tavistock Square.

“These things can come very close to us if we get them wrong.”

The meeting heard from various speakers and the majority were against dropping bombs on ISIL targets.

The first speaker said: “It doesn’t matter how good your missiles are, some children are going to get hit. 

“If there has to be intervention it has to be an intervention that benefits the Syrians and not the (Syrian President) Assad regime.”

Tom Curran added: “We will be creating lots of victims which will only create more terrorists and refugees.  If we do create more refugees, are we going to bring them over here?”

Roger Pearce added: “It is an absolutely chaotic situation that only a fool will get involved in.”

Other speakers were concerned action would spread Islamaphobia and there was no long term plan for Syria.

However, one speaker, who was for the bombing, said: “There is a litany of barbarism going on.  All I’m asking for in terms of strategic bombing is that it acts as a break on the geographical spread of ISIS.  We owe it to the people who are being raped, beheaded and tortured to do it for them.”

Julian Sturdy MP for York Outer, was not at the meeting, but told The Press he supported action.

He added: “I strongly believe we must extend our strikes against ISIL beyond Iraqi borders as part of an ISIL only strategy, however I want clear assurances from the Prime Minister that our involvement will not escalate and cause us to be drawn into a wider conflict in Syria against Assad.

“ISIL presents a severe threat to our country, and the first obligation of any Government should be to keep its people safe.”