Thank you for creating a buzz around anti-violence campaign

Officers and staff want to thank communities for their enthusiasm and support around the visit of an anti-violence monument as it bids farewell to the county.

Back in October, we announced that Derbyshire Constabulary would be hosting the anti-violence bee, created by the British Ironworks Centre, and touring it across the county in a month-long venture.

Before the bee flew into Derbyshire, many schools and members of the community got involved with our plea to get creative and make bees, with approximately 1,000 knitted and crocheted bees sent in to us ready to give out to visitors.

Creativity came in all shapes and sizes, from communities near and afar.

In particular, WeaveKnitIt at Cromford Mills were quick off the mark after hearing about the bee’s visit, pulling together hundreds of handmade bees through their ‘knit and natter’ group, as well as from customers who wanted to get involved ready for when it visited them.

The team at Shipley Park Garden Centre were also inspired to get creative, dedicating their brand new ‘community board’ to the monument, adding the timetable of where it would be alongside a map, as well as displaying some of the handmade bees their customers had made.

A team of youngsters at Engineered Learning put their skills to the test and crafted a bee out of steel, taking a total of 12 hours and 16 young people working on the project – and we also had a delivery of knitted bees all the way from Essex!

Each visit became a hive of activity, with thousands of people catching a glimpse of the thought-provoking monument as it visited schools, town centres and Christmas markets across Derbyshire, to name a few.

The 11ft tall monument was originally made for Manchester using various weapons, including knives and firearms, seized from the city’s streets. It follows the success of the Knife Angel’s visit to Derbyshire in 2019, which was also made by the British Ironworks Centre. More of its history can be found here: Manchester Anti-Violence Bee Monument | The British Ironwork Centre.

The bee is a symbol of our firm stance against violence, in any form, and by bringing it to Derbyshire the aim was to open up a conversation about this.

Chief Superintendent Hayley Barnett, from Derbyshire Constabulary, said: “We are delighted with the response that the bee has been getting as it has been going up and down the county, and we want to thank each and every one of you who made bees, took a trip out to see it at one of the locations, or simply helped spread the word on social media.

“A huge thank you also goes to the British Ironworks Centre for allowing us the loan of the bee.

“The main aim was education and about getting the message out there that, as a society, we will not tolerate violence in any form, whether it be domestic violence or crime involving weapons.

“Seeing the community become so involved, as well as the enthusiasm from young people and schools especially, has been amazing and it is great to know that the message is getting out there.

“By talking about the bee, this has spurred on the even more important conversations about what we can all do to prevent violence and, actually, where violence does take place we want people to have the confidence to come forward in the absolute knowledge and understanding that we will do everything we can to help that person and bring those responsible to justice.

“Whilst the monument may be bidding farewell to Derbyshire, we hope its impact will stick in people’s minds and that the discussion will continue.”

The bee officially finished its tour in Matlock on Wednesday (21 December 2022) before buzzing off back to its Shropshire home in time for Christmas.