Anti-violence bee: shoppers attention caught by giant bee

An incredible new statue made out of deactivated guns and knives visited Cathedral Square and the Hive on Saturday (November 13). 

The antiviolence bee was created in Manchester and is visiting the West Mercia area throughout November. 

The statue was built by the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry, Shropshire, the same company that made the Knife Angel, which attracted thousands of visitors to its tour of cities across the country.

Organisers hope the bee will start a conversation about the dangers of carrying guns and weapons which will prevent young people from doing so. 

Caroline Lovegrove who was visiting the bee with her 10-year-old daughter Isabelle, said: "My daughter is fascinated by it. 

"It does make people think." 

Isabelle said: "It is really cool, it has been made out of guns and knives that people have handed in."

Isabelle Lovegrove,10, was fascinated by the bee (Image: NQ)

The Bee will also visit schools, community hubs across Telford, Shrewsbury, Worcester, and Hereford among other areas, to educate and raise awareness of the dangers of carrying weapons.

Isabelle continued: "I would like the bee to visit my school. 

"I think it is creating awareness. 

READ MORE: West Mercia Police close case after man uses fake money

"Guns and knives are very dangerous."

Ian Mcwalter who is a retired police officer and now works as a tactical advisor, said: "The bee is starting a conversation. 

Ian Mcwalter, 58, talks about the dangers of knife crime (Image: NQ)

"It's getting a message of the dangers of knife crime out there.

"We've had a very good response to this, it is an incredible piece of art that makes you think.

Mr Mcwalter does a lot of work toward crime prevention, especially among young people.

He said there is an increasing problem with knife crime among children. 

The 58-year-old added: "We want to deter young people from knife crime and get the conversation started.

"If someone sees the bee today, it could spark a conversation about the dangers of knife crime with their kids.

READ MORE: Remembrance Day: Cathedral Square lined with hundreds to pay respects

Ian Mcwalter, Safer Neighbourhood team and West Mercia Police officers were also at the event (Image: NQ)

"Some young people think 'they carry a knife, so will I' this is not the message we want. 

"To solve this problem we are not going to arrest our way out of it. 

"We need to get people talking and get families talking and people should say this is wrong."