EMERGENCY services are stepping up their efforts to keep people safe around the region’s rivers, as thousands of students return to Durham – where three have drowned in the last two years.

Firefighters have been demonstrating river rescue techniques on the Wear in Durham City, yards from where 19-year-old Euan Coulthard became the third Durham University to drown within 15 months, back in January.

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Additionally, Durham Police has bought 80 throw lines, capable of reaching 40 metres, to add to its response cars.

Andrew Allison, community safety manager with the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: “There are lots of new students arriving in Durham for the first time (for this week’s Freshers’ Week).

“We would hope they would have got safety messages at home, but wherever they’re from they will get those safety messages here.”

Beer mats and pint glasses bearing safety messages have been distributed to pubs and clubs and warnings have been issued via social media.

Meanwhile, the police have bought 80 Balcan Emergency Lifelines (Bells), following a suggestion made through the force’s Bright Ideas scheme.

Chief Constable Mike Barton said: “I have raised my concerns before about my officers putting themselves at risk to go to the aid of those in difficulty in the water.

“I do hope that people have learnt lessons from the tragedies we have had in Durham in recent years and that the throw lines remain unused.

“However, I feel a sense of relief that if and when my officers come across a person in need in the water, they now have a way to help without endangering their own lives.”

Following the deaths of Sope Peters, Luke Pearce and Euan Coulthard, Durham’s City Safety Group has also invested £230,000 in improving fences, lights and footpaths along the Wear.

Night bus and taxi services have also been improved, although a student-led riverside angels support scheme was axed after just a few months.

On the new throw lines, City Safety Group chair Terry Collins said: “This is another terrific initiative which, alongside all the other measures taken, will undoubtedly make a real difference.”