People have been warned they must report every crime they see if they want something to do be done by police after it was claimed the problem had "got out of control" in Helston.

The message came after the increasing issue of anti-social behaviour and other crimes in the town was raised at the town council on Thursday, with one member claiming it had "got so dangerous" - although another said it should not be put "out of perspective" and that Helston was still safe.

Councillor Ronnie Williams first raised the issue, saying he was speaking on behalf of people in Beacon Parc and Trengrouse Way, the area in which he lives.

He said: "It's got so dangerous here. Parents with younger children, they make sure they're in or if they're going around the area of Trengrouse Way they're accompanied, it's got so serious."

Mr Williams said one night a woman had come to his door at around 2.30am "crying her eyes out" and that there had been "shouting and hollering."

"We have a lot of people here involved in the NHS, they come home they want some sleep - and rightfully so," he said, adding that police did not arrive for two and a half hours.

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He went on to say that not long ago someone lit a fire burning plastic, which is against the law, and the "stench" was so bad people had to keep their windows shut.

"We had a presentation from the police that there was enough of them there, they were going to sort it out. Whatever they have done it's not worked," he added.

Councillor Brendan Thomas gave a separate example, saying he was driving up Godolphin Road towards Station Road during the middle of the day when he came across three youths kicking a traffic bollard in an effort to knock it down.

"I was quite horrified by that," he said. "It's got out of control and we have got to stop it now, before it's outrageous."

He also made a serious allegation about drugs being sold in the town.

Mayor John Martin said that a meeting was held with police every week, and these issues had been raised each time.

"We're all concerned about the rise in anti-social behaviour and crime levels, as indeed is [Inspector] Martin Roberts.

"Our policing combines with Falmouth, that's why there's sometimes a delay in response.

"They are making moves to improve the situation," he said, adding: "They're trying to manage it the best they can with the funding they have."

Town clerk Chris Dawson went on to say that on every occasion the police had said how crucial it was for people to report crimes so a record could be taken and a picture built up over the need for extra funding.

"If they don't report it there's no logs building up, and for all intents and purposes the police don't know it's happening," he said, adding that while the 101 numbers was known to have "issues," people could also report instantly via email to 101@dc.police.uk - and still call 999 if it was happening at that moment.

Deputy mayor Tim Grattan-Kane, himself a former police officer, agreed: "I know it's a damn pain, but it's the only way we're going to get the recognition - we won't just by saying there's a problem in Helston."

But councillor Ron Edgcumbe said Helston needed "proactive policing" and at the moment it was "just reactive, and it's not working."

Town and Cornwall councillor Mike Thomas said it was important not to get it out perspective, adding: "I must stress this is such a safe area to live."

The Packet has contacted Falmouth and Helston police inspector Martin Roberts for a response.