Durham Doorstaff To Breathalyze People On Nights Out

10 February 2015, 16:16 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Door staff in Durham city centre are going to trial breathalyzing people on nights out to try and stop river deaths.

3 students have died after falling into the River Wear in just over a year, with a fourth pulled alive from the river last month.

More than £50,000 will also be spent on a drink awareness campaign in Durham City, as well as a safety assessment of the city's riverside.

The measures come weeks after student Euan Coulthard was found dead in the River Wear after a night out.

Durham County Council has taken advice from the local authority in York.

A was meeting held last night (Monday 9th February) with members of Durham Constabulary, the county council, staff from the university and cathedral and students from Durham Students Union.

Other measures to be put in place include:
* An assessment of Durham's riverside, to be carried out by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). Their report and recommendations are due to be made available in April.

* A new system where a volunteer can be radioed to help when someone who is too drunk is asked to leave a bar or club.

* The re-establishment of Durham’s nightbus.

* A drink awareness campaign at Durham University funded by Durham County Council’s public health service.