Some 218,000 people live in the borough, 60% of whom are of working age and a sixth are of school age. Around 8% of local people are from minority ethnic backgrounds. Although much of the borough is developed, there are more than 90 parks and woodland areas, making it one of the greenest boroughs in London. Approximately 50,000 residents work outside Bexley, although the borough itself has some 68
,000 jobs with Belvedere the second largest manufacturing area in the capital. Unemployment is low, at almost half the London average however there are pockets of unemployment in some parts in the north of the borough. Bexley is one of the safest boroughs in London and has seen the biggest drop in overall crime across the capital (2010/11). Policing in Bexley is enhanced by 21 Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Teams working in and with local communities to tackle issues that are important to residents and businesses. Bexley also has a Safer Transport Team, dedicated to policing the transport network which has made significant improvements to the safety and comfort of the travelling public. There are more than 100 Special Constables, the majority of whom live in the borough. They give up their time to police their own community and take ownership of local problems.
