Bee monument made from weapons begins tour of Walsall schools

The Manchester Bee monument has started its tour of schools in Walsall, as part of an anti-violence campaign.

The Manchester Bee monument at St. Michael's primary school, Pelsall.

The monument, made from thousands of seized knives and guns, is visiting more than 20 schools in Walsall, to encourage discussions with young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife.

West Midlands Police has worked with the council to bring the monument to Walsall, and schools have been able to book the bee for a day. Many are hosting assemblies and creative activities such as drawings around the symbolic monument.

The bee is on tour until the end of term, and last week spent some time at St. Michael’s Primary School in Pelsall.

“ The bee has been a real talking point with our pupils at St Michael’s.

Before the bee’s arrival, we hosted an assembly about its meaning and symbolism, and pupils spent some time independently researching the bee’s history.

On-the-day, our Year 6 classes worked in teams to create drawings and informative posters about the monument. We also held a family worship session, where the school community was able to reflect and pray for peace.

These activities have really encouraged positive discussions around the bee. In particular, our pupils discussed the devastation knife crime causes amongst entire family networks and communities, not just upon those individuals who carry a knife. “

Mr Jones, Year 6 teacher
St Michael's primary school, Pelsall

The bee’s visit builds upon the legacy of the successful Knife Angel visit to Walsall in December last year.

Reducing serious youth violence is a priority for Walsall local policing area (LPA) and the Safer Walsall Partnership. It is hoped the bee’s visit will provide an educational talking point and catalyst for discussion about knife crime with young people.

To learn more about our #LifeorKnife campaign go to LifeorKnife | West Midlands Police (west-midlands.police.uk)

To find out more about the Manchester Bee go to Manchester Anti-Violence Bee Monument | The British Ironwork Centre