Social media helps bring about the return of stolen sentimental wrought iron gates for elderly Shardlow resident

The power of social media has been used to hugely positive effect following the theft of a pair of highly sentimental wrought iron gates from a much-loved local resident of Shardlow.

On the night of Friday 25th April, the bespoke iron gates, made many years ago by the homeowner's late husband, were cut and stolen from the house on Wilne Lane. The couple had lived there happily for over 50 years, and the gates — handcrafted with love — represented a lasting memory of their life together.

The theft was initially thought to have required at least two individuals and a large vehicle to remove and transport the heavy ironwork. The gates were dragged towards the canal bank before being loaded and taken away.

The owner, a much-respected elderly member of the Shardlow community, has been left devastated by this cruel act and was desperate to be reunited with the gates due to their irreplaceable sentimental value.

An appeal was subsequently issued appealing for anyone with information or footage to come forward to provide the information to assist a Derbyshire Police investigation.

However, thanks to the strength of social media, the gates were later back in place, coming of much relief to the widow of the man who built them.

CCTV footage of the perpetrator and the registration number of the vehicle used, has since been passed to Police.