THE first students trained to keep their classmates safe following a spate of tragic deaths will take up their voluntary riverside ranger roles tonight (Wednesday, February 25).

About 50 Durham University students have already completed the training initiated by the City Safety Group after the drink-related deaths of three young men in the River Wear in the 15 months to January.

The first safety squads will be out on the streets of Durham late tonight (Wednesday), ready with first aid supplies, water, foil blankets, torches and radios connecting them to the city centre manager.

Initially, the scheme will run for three Wednesdays, the busiest student night of the week, until the university Easter break, with three teams of four students plus a project leader and member of university staff member on patrol each week covering different parts of the city.

Volunteers have been given training on basic life-saving, drug and alcohol awareness, personal safety, the law and water emergencies.

Team leader Jess Bygrave, a psychology student, said: “This scheme has been oversubscribed because many students have been affected by recent tragic events and want to do all they can to safeguard others and look out for their peers.”

Terry Collins, chair of the City Safety Group, said: “This is one of a wide-ranging number of initiatives and schemes the group will oversee in response to concerns about safety in the city.

“I am particularly pleased at the fantastic response to this initiative from the students themselves. More than 200 expressed an interest in getting involved.

“I am sure this will make a very practical difference and will reassure many about the emphasis we put on maintaining and improving a safer city.”

Sope Peters, Luke Pearce and Euan Coulthard died in the river and a fourth unnamed student was pulled from the icy water between October 2013 and late January.

Other new safety measures already introduced include a drunk tank and nightbus service.

Pub door breath tests and a major education campaign are also planned.

The university is urging students to drink responsibly, not walk along the riverbanks alone at night and stay with friends rather than going home alone.