Almost a dozen Suffolk organisations have been named as recipients of an £100,000 fund to promote cyber safety.

The county’s police and crime commissioner has announced the Stay Safe Online Fund, which is administered by Suffolk Community Foundation, will be shared by projects including Volunteering Matters, The South West Grid for Learning Trust, Access Community Trust, Level Two and Ipswich Community Media.

The Bangladeshi Support Centre, Suffolk Refugee, The Friends of St Mary’s School, The Porch Project, Guardian Saints, and Kernos are also named as recipients.

Mr Passmore said: “Keeping Suffolk’s young people safe online is a real issue of grave concern. I personally find it extremely sad to hear that reports of grooming and violence in the county’s digital community have shot up in recent years.

“The Chief Constable and I are very concerned about this, and have pledged to do all we can.

He added: “Keeping Suffolk’s young people safe online is a real issue of grave concern.

“We must work together with charities to protect young people through the campaign and make people aware of what is happening. These threats need to be tackled now.

“I personally find it extremely sad to hear that reports of grooming and violence in the county’s digital community have shot up in recent years.

“The Chief Constable and I are very concerned about this, and have pledged to do all we can to protect young people in the county.”

Suffolk Community Foundation’s chief executive Stephen Singleton said: “We are delighted to be working with the police and crime commissioner to deliver this grants programme.

“As a funder, we know the voluntary sector is strategically placed to provide the necessary services that are much needed by schools and young people to tackle this pressing issue.

“It is very encouraging that we have been joined in this initiative by other key partners who share our ambition to protect Suffolk’s young people.”