Bee creates a buzz among town shoppers
SCULPTURE MADE FROM KNIVES AND GUNS SPREADING MESSAGE AGAINST VIOLENCE IN COUNTY
AN 11ft tall giant bee made from real guns was in Swadlincote on Saturday.
Known as the “anti-violence bee”, the huge statue is touring Derbyshire raising awareness of the devastating consequences that result from violence and weapons-related crime.
Originally created in Manchester, the bee was created using various weapons, including knives and firearms, seized from the city’s streets. While it is in Derbyshire, police officers will be on hand to give advice, answer any questions and talk to visitors.
They are now asking for communities to get creative and get stuck into some art to help spread key messages and advice when the bee is in town.
It made its first stop in Morrisons supermarket car park, off Coppice Side, Swadlincote, on Saturday, November 26. The bee is similar to the “knife angel giant sculpture, which is made from knives police have confiscated.
Inspector Ellen Lovatt, from Derbyshire Constabulary’s operational support department, said: “It is absolutely fantastic that we have secured this monument and to be able to tour it around Derbyshire. We previously had the opportunity to host the knife angel, which is made by the same company and, similarly, made of confiscated weapons.
“That was really poignant, really emotive, and people had a lot to say and a lot of different views about it, which is great.
“Getting a conversation started is the key, and so we, of course, jumped at the opportunity to do this again with the Manchester bee.”