AS the latest tragedy unfolded in Durham City, with the death of student Euan Coulthard last month, we said there was a need to do whatever was possible to minimise the dangers around the riverside.

Chief Constable Mike Barton rightly advised against what would have been an over-reaction if officers had been expected to police the riverbank. Students, argued the straight-talking Mr Barton, have to take responsibility for their own behaviour.

Nevertheless, with the deaths of three students in 15 months, and another having to be rescued last month, it was imperative that the local community took whatever steps were reasonable – police patrols aside – to guard against another river tragedy.

The series of initiatives, announced last night following a safety review, add up to a thorough and balanced approach.

No one can now say that the authorities, in partnership with the local community, have failed to take the pattern of tragedy seriously.

The most eye-catching of those initiatives is the use of doorstep breathalysers being piloted at participating bars to prevent students being allowed in if they are more than twice the drink drive limit.

Anyone failing the test would be referred to community “guardians” trained to help get them home safely.

An over-reaction? Wrapping students in cotton-wool?

The reality is that, in the context of three deaths in 15 months, Durham City could not simply wait for another tragedy. It had to act and, in the circumstances it faced, over-reaction is better than under-reaction.

But Terry Collins, the chair of the City Safety Group, is right – none of the changes can remove the risks completely.

Ultimately, safety comes down to people taking responsibility for how much they drink – and how much they see their friends drink.