Rochford District Council’s Environmental Services team have to face plenty of different challenges in their jobs, and last week they were stung into action in Rayleigh.

The Council Officers were called to a bench in Eastwood Road where a colony of bees had swarmed and landed on the leg of the bench. As they presented a potential danger to the public, the Council were notified.

The brave officers kept the public away from the immediate area and called in a reputable bee keeper to collect the swarm and move it to a place where the bees would be safe to make honey all day long.

No members of the public were harmed during the operation, however, it didn’t run completely smoothly. One of Rochford District Council’s Contract Monitoring Officers was stung on the arm, and although it is still slightly swollen, he is absolutely fine.

Rochford District Council’s Head of Environmental Services, Richard Evans, added: “Although this was one of our more unusual requests we were concerned about the potential of someone being stung and took the necessary action to protect the public.

Whether it’s bees trying to make a nest in a very public place, or any other public health concern, we depend on members of the public calling us to let us know what is happening so we can take action as soon as possible. If you do need to contact us, you can telephone 01702 318111.”

As for the bees, there is a sting in the tale. Far from being told to buzz off entirely, they have now been relocated by the bee keeper to a safe area where it’s hoped they will nest and create a viable honey-making colony.