What a victory for common sense. May morning in Oxford passed off without incident even though it was the first time Magdalen Bridge had been opened for the celebrations since 2005.

In that year 40 people were injured jumping into the river, so the 18,000 strong crowd on Sunday must be praised.

But so must Oxford City Council.

In a society that is all too often obsessed with health and safety and the fear of litigation, it was refreshing to see the authority take the bold step to keep the bridge open.

It did so despite the doubts raised by South Central Ambulance Service, and Town Hall bosses must have been a little nervous as dawn broke.

They needn’t have been. The slick security operation put the efforts of previous years in the shade.

The fencing was organised in a way that prevented jumping while still allowing people to enjoy the full spectacle of an iconic Oxford festival.

Stewards stuck to their posts until the party had moved on to other parts of the city and the dangers of drunken antics had passed.

The operation must have cost a few quid, but it is far better to spend taxpayers’ money allowing 18,000 people have a good time than on patching up a few idiot jumpers.

When people are treated like adults they are more likely to behave like them as well.