UK Police mocked for investigating a swarm of bees in Hampshire

[Social Media]

 

Buzz Patrol: Hampshire Police Swarmed with Jokes After Bee Incident

 

A routine patrol turned into an unexpected media sensation after four police officers were photographed investigating a swarm of bees in the middle of Winchester, Hampshire. What began as a minor encounter with nature quickly spiraled into a viral moment as amused residents took to social media to poke fun at the unusual sight.

 

 

The officers were spotted standing around a traffic light pole, where a cluster of bees had congregated. The insects, it turned out, were in the midst of a natural process known as swarming. This occurs when a group of bees, following a new queen, breaks off from the main hive in search of a new home. Typically taking place between May and July, swarming season can see thousands of bees temporarily gathering in one spot while scout bees search for a suitable location to settle.

 

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary clarified that the officers had been on routine patrol when members of the public alerted them to the swarm. “They called the council and local beekeeper to deal with the situation and within minutes were continuing with their patrols,” the spokesman said.

 

While the officers acted appropriately by notifying the relevant authorities, that didn’t stop social media users from having a field day with the incident. Facebook lit up with puns and jokes, many of which referenced the officers’ apparent fascination with the bees.

 

One commenter quipped that it had taken four of the city’s “finest” to “protect the queen bee.” Others chimed in with playful remarks like “let’s bee having you” and “hot buzz” – a witty twist on “hot fuzz,” the slang term for police that also served as the title of the Simon Pegg and Nick Frost comedy film. Some even suggested the officers were engaged in a “sting operation” or trapped in a “honey trap,” with one joker suggesting the area would need to be “(honey) combed” thoroughly.

 

Though the officers may have been the butt of the joke, the incident highlighted the importance of responding to unexpected situations — even when they come with wings and stripes. And while the hive eventually found assistance from professionals more accustomed to handling stingers, the images of uniformed officers staring down a buzzing swarm will likely linger in the local consciousness — and on social media — for some time to come.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Daily Telegraph  2025-07-02

 

 

[Dionigi]

Not real police. I seen real ones on tv. One has to be black, one has to be Pakistani, one has to be Asian, and the leader has to be a woman.

[Gandtee]

A sting operation!

[SAFETY FIRST]

11 minutes ago, Dionigi said:

Not real police. I seen real ones on tv. One has to be black, one has to be Pakistani, one has to be Asian, and the leader has to be a woman.

NAILED IT, That's the Australian police force. 

[JonnyF]

29 minutes ago, Dionigi said:

Not real police. I seen real ones on tv. One has to be black, one has to be Pakistani, one has to be Asian, and the leader has to be a woman.

 

Bonus points for dreads, a nose ring and forearm tattoos.

 

 

 

[lamyai3]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

The officers were spotted standing around a traffic light pole, where a cluster of bees had congregated. The insects, it turned out, were in the midst of a natural process known as swarming. This occurs when a group of bees, following a new queen, breaks off from the main hive in search of a new home. Typically taking place between May and July, swarming season can see thousands of bees temporarily gathering in one spot while scout bees search for a suitable location to settle.

 

Officers swiftly apprehended the bees for breach of the peace and unlawful assembly without a permit, under the Public Order Act 1986. 

[JonnyF]

I wonder if a swarm of illegal immigrants hanging around the same lamppost would have got such a "robust" response from Britain's finest.

 

They've certainly got their priorities straight. 

[Chomper Higgot]

28 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

I wonder if a swarm of illegal immigrants hanging around the same lamppost would have got such a "robust" response from Britain's finest.

 

They've certainly got their priorities straight. 

What triggered that Jonny?

 

 

[JonnyF]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

What triggered that Jonny?

 

 

 

The fact that the UK police seem to spend more time investigating swarms of bees, pensioners with "Brexity books", people being 'openly Jewish' on London streets, social media posts and private WhatsApp messages than addressing the real issues affecting the country.

 

But you already knew that. 

[Chomper Higgot]

I’m only surprised there are any bees left in the UK given the use of neonicotinoid insecticides 

 

Perhaps the swift banning of these harmful substances has worked:

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/complete-ban-on-bee-killing-pesticides-moves-forward

[Chomper Higgot]

Just now, JonnyF said:

 

The fact that the UK police seem to spend more time investigating swarms of bees, pensioners with "Brexity books", people being 'openly Jewish' on London streets, social media posts and private WhatsApp messages than addressing the real issues affecting the country.

 

But you already knew that. 

In your own head they do.

[JonnyF]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

In your own head they do.

 

Bit early to be gaslighting chomps.

 

Back in reality...

 

https://www.gbnews.com/news/free-speech-row-kent-thought-crime-tweet-police-brexit-books

 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/29/parents-arrested-by-hertfordshire-police-for-complaining-about-daughters-school

 

[Watawattana]

If they were buzzing they must have been high on drugs?  Justification for enquiries to be made.

 

Either that they had a buzz-cut hair-do so they must be racist...

 

Sorry folks!

[sungod]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

 

Bonus points for dreads, a nose ring and forearm tattoos.

 

 

 

Is that bob Vylan?

[roo860]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

 

Bonus points for dreads, a nose ring and forearm tattoos.

 

 

 

And a Lezzy

[James105]

One of the bees has been found impersonating a police officer.   

 

[Thingamabob]

Today's UK police get themselves involved in far sillier exercises than this.

[JonnyF]

10 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Today's UK police get themselves involved in far sillier exercises than this.

 

It's all about getting the respect of the public. 

 

[GroveHillWanderer]

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

The fact that the UK police seem to spend more time investigating swarms of bees, pensioners with "Brexity books", people being 'openly Jewish' on London streets, social media posts and private WhatsApp messages than addressing the real issues affecting the country.

 

But you already knew that. 

Except they didn't "investigate" a swarm of bees. They were informed of the situation by members of the public, passed the information on to the council and a local beekeeper, and then continued on their patrol. There was no investigation, just a relay of information.

[PETERTHEEATER]

In comparison, every Thai police kiosk is a hive of activity......💤

[Geoff914]

5 hours ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

Except they didn't "investigate" a swarm of bees. They were informed of the situation by members of the public, passed the information on to the council and a local beekeeper, and then continued on their patrol. There was no investigation, just a relay of information.

Quite right, a swarm of bees. Not sure why is expanded to swarms of bees to make the police look stupid by some auditor.