The new police inspector for Falmouth and Helston has asked for the public's help in reporting crime - a move that has already led to £10,000 worth of cocaine being seized recently.

Inspector Martin Roberts said he would be encouraging officers out onto the streets more, adding: "We're getting out and walking in the communities. It's about increasing the knowledge and skills of my officers, and making sure they connect with members of the public."

That message of connection was common throughout his presentation to Helston Town Council on Thursday, where he told members: "How I see things moving forward is we stay connected as best as we possibly can, both ways.

"For us to be able to police and tackle the priorities it's important that you're aware we haven't got police officers on every corner of the street.

"It's important that intelligence is brought in to the organisation, which means members of the public seeing things, ringing in, getting that information in to us."

He said a recent example of how effective this could be took place only that week, when a tip off led to a vehicle being stopped between Falmouth and Helston, and £10,000 worth of class A drug cocaine was found. A person was subsequently arrested and an investigation is underway.

"That was a great result and removed those drugs off the street," he added. "That wouldn't happen in just normal stop checks. We are driven by intelligence and we need to work together.

Insp Roberts said he also wanted his team of officers to "manage expectations" of members of the public more, by explaining better the process that has to be followed to reach a conviction.

"That's a really big drive for me, to make sure we are connecting members of the public," he explained, adding that he would be writing an article for town and parish magazines across his sector, giving more information about how residents can help people and also get in touch.

He acknowledged people had had problems in the past calling 101 but said there was also email, via 101@dc.police.uk and live chat on the Devon and Cornwall Police website.

"We need to make sure if crime is committed it's reported. It's really important, as those numbers will dictate to me where I want to target my staff.

"If I don't know about it, I can't target it," he said.

Insp Roberts said the priorities for his officers going forward were anti-social behaviour, investigation of crime and speeding vehicles on roads in the sector, which could include setting up community speed watch groups in the coming months.