7/09/2015 BBC NEWS REPORTBristol residents urged to welcome migrant familiesLike other areas of the UK, residents of Bristol have been urged by local officials to open their doors to refugee families. Bristol describes itself as a "city of sanctuary" with a long history of welcoming people displaced by conflict.

Yesterday, this was just a warehouse. Today, after a Facebook appeal, space has been donated and its become a logistical hub dealing with an extraordinary outpouring of generosity. Across Bristol, thousands have been donating blankets, sleeping bags, food and other supplies to go to migrants trying to get to Britain from Calais.

Volunteers, many of whom were strangers until a few days ago, say the good will to watch the asylum seekers is phenomenal.

If it wasnt for Facebook, we wouldnt have the team of people we have hit today. Its incredible. The team were (sic) actually organised early last night. We started organising them at about 9 PM using social media and we finished at about half-past midnight, and now they are working on locations across Bristol.

Social media has clearly helped to inspire a dramatic increase in donations and, indeed, support for those desperate asylum seekers crossing Europe. But it would be a mistake to imagine for the UK as a whole has changed its mind. Asked whether Britons should accept more refugees from countries like Syria, a BBC poll today found 57% who thought we should take the same number as now or even fewer. Asked about the picture of the dead Syrian boy, Alan Kurdi, 64% said such images risk distorting rational debate. But the survey did suggest increasing support for accepting migrants and doing a EU Quotas system, now at 55% out from 45% in June.

In a Bristol park today, there was uncertainty about how Britain should respond.

I do believe that we need to be compassionate, but we also need to be careful. Ofc. (sic) we want to help as best we can but, you do kind of have to put everything else into consideration as well, with public services

Bristol describes itself as a city of sanctuary, and today the Mayor () will personally accept a refugee family in his own home. But he has a word of warning.

Yes, we will take people. I cannot tell you a number yet, but we mustnt take people that we are unable to house in the long-term, that we are unable to educate in the long-term.

Bristol, like Britain, knows instinctively it seems that with asylum, as with immigration more generally, decisions must be taken with the head as well as the heart.