A policeman in the Overijssel town of Kampen has used Twitter to find out what locals think he should do about people cycling in pedestrian only areas.

Jean Louis Becker placed an online poll on the social media platform to find out if people who cycle through a pedestrian area should be warned or fined. In total, 71 people voted and a clear majority backed instant fines.

Becker told RTL news it is the first time he has used Twitter to gauge public opinion and that next year he will come down hard on errant cyclists. ‘The man in the street has spoken,’ he told the broadcaster.

‘This is a great way of involving people more directly in police cases,’ he said.

A spokesman for the national police force told RTL news that the new approach to deciding police priorities is to be welcomed.