999 call after bees swarm in Chichester

The police were called at 11.40am today (May 11) and promptly contacted a beekeeper, whom nearby pub landlord Nick Webb said turned up to deal with the problem.

The swarm emanated from what appeared to be a nest in a tree at the end of West Street, right next to the Chichester Inn.

“A guy turned up in all the beekeeping clobber,” said Mr Webb.

“It was in the tree and he just stuck the basket up and rattled the branch and the swarm fell in the basket and were swarming around for a bit. He has left it there now for all the rest of the bees to go in the basket.”

Mr Webb is no stranger to swarming insects, after a wasp nest appeared in the pub garden five or six years ago and he accidentally cut through it when trimming the hedge.

“It must be something about this end of West Street,” he said.

Passers-by were stopping and gazing at the basket which has been left on the ground, after their attention was drawn by the police tape.