Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner has announced the eight organisations who have successfully bid for a share of more than £150k to fund projects which either contribute to reducing crime and disorder, or support victims in the county.

Tim Passmore said, "Commissioning services to support the work of the Constabulary, or reduce demand on the police service, is an important element of my role as Police and Crime Commissioner.

"I am absolutely delighted to be able to support these local organisations in their valuable work. We rely very heavily on the support of voluntary and community organisations and we are indebted to them for their commitment and enthusiasm.

"I truly believe that without the support of organisations such as these we would be a much poorer society."

The Porch Project will receive £38,000 over two years to support youth workers' salaries. These detached youth workers will facilitate sessions across Hadleigh, Sudbury, Great Cornard and surrounding areas and provide a safe space for up to 250 vulnerable young people.

The Bridge Project in Sudbury received £4,200 which will allow 42 adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to attend awareness-raising sessions on hate crime and domestic abuse, and also learn how to report being a victim of crime.  

Inspire Suffolk successfully bid for £19,196 to expand youth provision in an area of deprivation in Lowestoft. Inspire will engage with vulnerable young people through sport sessions, counselling and awareness-raising workshops to reduce crime and disorder.  

Selig (Suffolk) Trust secured £6,000 towards their 'Springboard to Employment' programme which provides intensive one-to-one support covering life skills, interview techniques and budgeting to help 12 homeless persons live a more independent, crime-free life.  

Solo Housing (East Anglia) Ltd Suffolk received £19,806 towards a support worker's salary and other associated costs. Solo Housing supports women in contact with the criminal justice system, which includes practical support, mentoring, and employment advice.  

The Suffolk Chinese Family Welfare Association received £4,260 to provide support to victims of crime within the Chinese community. The funding is expected to support 300 beneficiaries.

Suffolk Refugee Support successfully bid for £20k to fund project work to reduce crime, vulnerability to crime, protect communities and improve criminal justice outcomes among settled refugees and asylum seekers in the county. The project has a particular focus on women and families, and provides educational sessions for young people on gangs, drug misuse and other harmful behaviours.

Suffolk Young People's Health Project secured £19,987 to deliver an extension to their detached youth work across areas of deprivation in Ipswich. The youth workers provide guidance and support to help young people make the right choices. The project will create a youth-led safe space for over 200 young people in the Gainsborough, Chantry, Priory Heath areas of Ipswich.

The grants panel, which considers all the applications, comprises the PCC, a representative of the PCC's executive team and Suffolk Community Foundation. The chairs of the three local Community Safety Partnerships also provide feedback. The panel is chaired by the PCC who is responsible for the final determination of each award.