The head of the specialist agency that tackles online child abuse and bullying is under investigation by Sussex Police over allegations about the ill treatment of his staff.

According to national reports, the force is carrying out an inquiry into Peter Davies, chief executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop).

This was after grievances were lodged against him, some from senior staff, about his management style, including claims of bullying.

The inquiry into the senior officer, who is on secondment to Ceop from Lincolnshire police, was commissioned by the Serious Organised Crime Agency – which runs Ceop – after a series of complaints from staff.

The controversy comes as Davies moves Ceop into the government's new FBI-style National Crime Agency and threatens to overshadow its launch in seven days' time.