Were vandals victims of a sting?

British bobbies in Norfolk are on the look-out for anyone with bee stings after six hives of honeybees belonging to bee farmer Don Cooper were vandalised in mid-winter. The Norwich Evening News reported that the bees were in “deep hibernation” — a common misconception amongst non-beekeepers. In winter, honeybees huddle for warmth, but in Britain will usually begin toilet and water-collection runs if the temperature gets above 8 degrees Celsius. And, of course, they may well be roused to action in colder temperatures if they perceive a threat to their colony.