DURHAM Constabulary has published an action plan for dealing with race-related issues.

The force says its racial equality scheme aims to "ensure the promotion of racial equality in everything we do as an employer and service provider''.

More than 40,000 public bodies are now required by law to take racial equality into account when carrying out their functions.

The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 followed the McPherson report into the death of black London teenager Stephen Lawrence.

The strategy, developed by the force's race equality team - Chief Inspector Andy Reddick and Sergeants Stuart Exley and Nadim Khaliq - outlines how every policy and function has been examined to assess its possible impact on ethnic minorities.

The police will have to take the new legislation when carrying out routine actions.

When searching the house of someone from an ethnic minority, officers may have to consider whether there are holy books or artefacts in it, or decide if an interpreter is needed.

Recent surveys of minority communities and consultation with police and ethnic liaison groups has helped the force determine its priorities.

These include the recruitment, retention and promotion of ethnic officers, as well as improvements in the service given to crime victims and witnesses.

Chief Insp Reddick said: "The idea is to 'mainstream' racial equality into everything we do.

"It is the duty of all of us to work to eliminate discrimination and promote equal opportunities and good race relations, both to the public and to each other within the organisation.''

Copies of the strategy are available from each divisional police station or from the Race Equality Council, in Darlington.

Anyone with comments can contact Chief Insp Reddick on 0191-386 4929, extension 2171.