A POLICE chief says upsetting students is a price worth paying to keep their city safe.

Durham Police Chief Constable Mike Barton was speaking after a student debate on drinking culture, called after three Durham University students died in the River Wear within 18 months – and three more had to be rescued.

The tragedies have increased tensions between residents, students and the authorities and triggered a raft of safety measures, including a drunk tank, a student-led riverside angels support scheme and pub door breath tests.

Mr Barton has refused to step up police patrols of the riverbanks, calling the suggestion “ludicrous”.

On Wednesday night, he told The Northern Echo: “I’m not at war with students. They’re part of the solution.

“I’ve definitely upset one or two. But if that makes Durham a safer place, it’s a price worth paying.”

Terry Collins, chair of the City Safety Group – who was also on the panel for today’s (Wednesday) debate, said group members had walked the riverbanks and drawn up a draft plan of action, which would be made public in the next few weeks.

Earlier this month, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) said fences would be expensive and ineffective.

The debate, at Durham Students’ Union, was attended by around 40 people.

Organiser William Mills, a criminology student, said he was massively pleased, as it had given students the chance to speak to the people who make a difference.

He said he had not seen any worsening of the drinking culture in his three years in Durham.

Mr Barton also responded to claims the river deaths, of Sope Peters, Luke Pearce and Euan Coulthard, had a sinister link, calling them unsubstantiated and outlandish.

“We investigate these matters assiduously. If somebody has evidence, we will look at it. But this is one or two people who want to make the headlines,” he said.

Mr Barton said Durham was a safe place but it was incumbent upon the police to understand what could be done to make it even safer.

Mr Collins said the breath tests, being trialled at six city centre pubs and clubs, were working well and he had received no negative feedback.