The Anti-Violence Bee represents the town’s continued zero tolerance towards violence and aggression of any kind and it is hoped that the presence of the monument and the accompanying programme will inspire social change, not only in Crewe, but also in surrounding areas.
The Anti-Violence Bee is a 6 x 2.5m monument made by British Ironworks from thousands of weapons (including knives and guns) that were collected from the streets of Manchester. All weapons were collected as part of the GMP’s ‘Forever Amnesty’ and were delivered to British Ironworks on a 7.5 tonne lorry.
In 2023 Crewe hosted the Knife Angel monument. The Knife Angel is the National Monument against violence and aggression and is made up of 100,000 seized knives and blades taken from the streets of Britain. The Knife Angel had a hugely positive impact on Crewe and its surrounding areas with 140 knives being disposed of through the knife amnesty and thousands of young people participating in engagement opportunities surrounding anti-violence and aggression messaging.
The worker bee is an important symbol, signifying workers and people power. The bee inspires the idea that together, we are stronger and can achieve incredible goals as a society. We hope that the bold design of the bee, paired with the important symbolism of the bee itself, will invoke education, communication, and discussion within Crewe to promote the anti-violence campaign.
Wednesday 1st May
➡️ The Anti-Violence Bee Monument arrives today from the British Ironworks Centre!
➡️ Window Artwork activity for Cheshire College South and West students (at Crewe Police Station and Crewe Market Hall)
Thursday 2nd May
➡️ Window Artwork activity for Cheshire College South and West students (at Crewe Police Station and Crewe Market Hall )
➡️ Fire safety with Cheshire Fire and Rescue by the Bee (11am – 1pm)
Friday 3rd May
➡️ Local organisation Change, Grow, Live by the Bee
Saturday 4th May
➡️ Cheshire Constabulary “Safer Streets Bus” by the Bee
Sunday 5th May
➡️ Cheshire Constabulary “Safer Streets Bus” by the Bee
Tuesday 7th May
➡️ Cheshire Constabulary “Safer Streets Bus” by the Bee
➡️ FREE self defence classes by the Bee with the Crewe Policing Team (6.30 – 7pm)
Wednesday 8th May
➡️ Local organisation Change, Grow, Live by the Bee
➡️ Fire safety with Cheshire Fire and Rescue by the Bee (10am – 2pm)
➡️ Community Youth Safety Partnership event
Thursday 9th May
➡️ Local organisation Change, Grow, Live by the Bee
Friday 10th May
➡️ Local organisation Change, Grow, Live by the Bee
➡️ Anti-Violence activity with the Cheshire East Youth Support Team by the Bee (6.30 – 7.30pm)
Saturday 11th May
➡️ Boxing workshop with ABC South Cheshire Boxing by the Bee (from 1pm – limited spaces available)
Sunday 12th May
➡️ Songs of Hope and Reflection by the Bee with Crewe Policing Team and the Funky Choir (1 – 2pm)
Monday 13th May (the start of national campaign Operation Sceptre)
➡️ “Bee Kind” story time for toddlers at Crewe Library with Crewe Policing Team and Crewe Library (10 – 11am)
Tuesday 14th May
➡️ School visits to the Bee
Wednesday 15th May
➡️ School visits to the Bee
Thursday 16th May
➡️ School visits to the Bee
➡️ Local organisation Change, Grow, Live by the Bee
Friday 17th May
➡️ Shanaze Reade BMX event at Tipkinder Park (6 – 8pm)
➡️ Anti-Violence activity with the Cheshire East Youth Support Team by the Bee (6.30 – 7.30pm)
➡️ Local organisation Change, Grow, Live by the Bee
Saturday 18th May
➡️ Bee Face Painting by the Bee with the Crewe Policing Team – £2 per person (2.30pm)
Sunday 19th May (the end of national campaign Operation Sceptre)
➡️ Knife amnesty bin available on Memorial Square by the Bee for the surrender of bladed articles
➡️ Crewe Makers Market in Crewe town centre (11am – 4pm)
Monday 20th May
➡️ Local organisation Change, Grow, Live by the Bee
➡️ Visit the Bee with the Cheshire East Youth Support Service (4 – 5.30pm)
Tuesday 21st May
➡️ School visits to the Bee
➡️ Local organisation Change, Grow, Live by the Bee
Wednesday 22nd May
➡️ School visits to the Bee
➡️ Local organisation Change, Grow, Live by the Bee
Thursday 23rd May
➡️ School visits to the Bee
➡️ Local organisation Change, Grow, Live by the Bee
Friday 24th May
➡️ School visits to the Bee
➡️ Local organisation Change, Grow, Live by the Bee
➡️ Anti-Violence activity with the Cheshire East Youth Support Team by the Bee (6.30 – 7.30pm)
Tuesday 28th May
➡️ Local organisation Change, Grow, Live by the Bee
Wednesday 29th May
➡️ Local organisations Change, Grow, Live and the Crewe branch of the Royal British Legion will be set up by the Bee
➡️ Make Bee badges and masks, create pebble bees and have Bee crafting fun with Creative Crewe by the Bee! (11am – 3pm)
Thursday 30th May
➡️ Local organisations Change, Grow, Live and Motherwell Cheshire by the Bee
Friday 31st May
➡️ The Anti-Violence Bee Monument returns to the British Ironworks Centre.
Visit the Anti-Violence Bee – school visits welcome!
The Anti-Violence Bee can be found on Memorial Square, Crewe.
The Anti-Violence Bee is FREE to visit and is displayed in a public space that anyone is welcome to visit.
Become a National Youth Anti-Violence Champion
An ‘Anti-Violence Champion’ is someone who completely renounces violence and aggressive behaviour as a means to solve issues, disputes and difficulties.
You can find out more by visiting:
https://www.britishironworkcentre.co.uk/become-a-national-youth-anti-violence-champion/
Support in Crewe for victims of violence
Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Hub: 0300 123 5101
A Cheshire-based charity supporting individuals and families affected by domestic abuse:
My CWA (formerly Cheshire Without Abuse)
Be part of the supporting programme
The Anti-Violence Bee will provide an opportunity to educate children, young people and adults about the harmful effects of violent and aggressive behaviour.
If your group or organisation would like to be part of promoting Crewe’s zero tolerance towards violence and aggression of any kind then we would love to hear from you! Maybe you would like to run an activity with your service users or with the community. . . if this sounds like you then get in touch!
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in volunteering to support the Anti-Violence Bee project please email [email protected]
