Anti-Violence Bee lands in Crewe ahead of Operation Sceptre

Ahead of Cheshire Constabulary supporting the national week of action tackling the impact of knife crime, Crewe is set to host the six-metre-long bee monument made up of thousands of weapons.

Following on from the success of the Knife Angel project last year, this month will see Crewe play host to the Anti-Violence Bee Monument, a six-metre-long statue made up of weapons that have been voluntarily handed over to police.

Originally commissioned by Greater Manchester Police, and brought to the town by Crewe Town Council and supported by the Local Policing Unit (LPU), the Anti-Violence Bee represents Cheshire Constabulary's continued zero-tolerance stance against violence and aggression of any kind.

It is hoped that the presence of the monument, and its accompanying programme, will inspire social change in both Crewe and across our wider Cheshire community.

During the Bee's residency in Crewe, the force will be taking part in the first of two national weeks of action this year known as 'Operation Sceptre'.

The operation, which will run from Monday 13 May to Sunday 19 May, will see the force join a national effort to reduce knife crime and its impact in our communities.

A knife amnesty bin will be located on Memorial Square on Sunday 19 May for members of the public to surrender any bladed articles. Several knife arches are also planned to be deployed at schools across the town.

The Anti-Violence Bee will provide an opportunity to educate children, young people and adults about the harmful effects of violent and aggressive behaviour and officers from the LPU will be working alongside Crewe Town Council, the Safer Cheshire East Partnership and the CrimeBeat charity in providing a vast programme of activities.

Some of these events include community and youth engagement, with officers planning to deliver safety talks and gang culture workshops at schools across the town. As part of the workshops, pupils will also be given emergency first aid demonstrations. 

Residents are also invited to join members of the Crewe Local Policing Team at the Bee on Tuesday 7 May at 6.30 pm for a free self-defence class and a session of songs of hope and reflection at 1pm on Monday 13 May.

The Constabulary's Safer Street bus will also be parked up near the Bee in Memorial Square across the bank holiday weekend (Saturday 4 May and Sunday 5 May) and on Tuesday 7 May.

The bus is designed to provide a safe space for anyone working in, living in or visiting Crewe to speak to officers for advice or support, receive first aid or simply charge their phones. 

Inspector Cliff Goodwin, of Crewe Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

“Having the Anti-violence Bee here in Crewe is a real honour. Its presence not only represents our continued zero-tolerance towards violence and threatening behaviour of any kind in Crewe, but it also highlights the outstanding efforts from our neighbourhood teams in deterring violent incidents across our town and keeping residents safe.

"Our officers work daily to tackle violent behaviour, and during the Bee's stay here in Crewe, we will be stepping up our presence across the town to reassure residents that we are taking a proactive approach to tackling violence in Crewe.

“We are working with local councils, charities and schools to engage and educate our young people with a vast number of programmes, activities and initiatives for all ages planned.

"During the Bee’s stay, residents can expect to see the deployment of knife arches funded by our Safer Streets partnership, community knife sweeps across different areas of Crewe, the regular deployment of drug detection dogs, engagement in the community, amnesty bins and regular patrols around hotspot areas."

PSCO Lizzie Jolley, of Crewe Neighbourhood Policing Team, added:

"It is so important that the Anti-Violence Bee is featured in Crewe, as it brings to the surface a topic which affects many of our residents in the town and its surrounding areas.

"Our programme of community events are vital opportunities to bring people together to show that kindness and community will always conquer violence."

To report any type of crime involving weapons call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Information can also be passed to the force online via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries.

Anyone who knows someone that carries a knife can report it to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.