Force Geography
Force Area Profile
Durham Constabulary polices the area of County Durham and Darlington Borough, which occupies an area of 2,232 sq. km. The area is predominantly rural, with more than half of its residents living in settlements of less than 10,000 people. There are 12 main towns and over 260 small towns and villages, many of which are former colliery villages.
The population of the force area is estimated to be 595,308 (2001 Census data), of which 1.2% are from ethnic minority groups. The minority ethnic population is not evenly distributed across the force area, some wards in the south of the force area have a significantly higher proportion of residents from minority ethnic groups. Recent years have seen an outward migration of young economically active people, changing the age profile of the area significantly with the proportion of residents aged over 60 likely to increase.
A decline in large-scale industry across the area has had a major impact upon the local economy and social status over the past 20 years. Partnership work involving a wide range of professional agencies is now enabling a new industrial base to take shape providing a local economy which has a more diverse structure built upon the manufacturing and service sectors. Tourism is still a thriving and developing business within the region. County Durham is promoted to tourists as "The Land of the Prince Bishops", a fitting reminder of its remarkable history. The area's industrial past also plays a key role in the growing tourism industry. Lead mining and other industrial heritage sites across County Durham and Darlington are now fascinating visitor attractions reinforcing the area as a quality tourism destination.
