Sign for road with suggestive name stolen again

The sign for Knob Lane in Belper has been stolen a number of times over the years

A road famed for its suggestive name has had its street sign stolen - and not for the first time.

Knob Lane in Belper, Derbyshire, was missing its sign after a previous theft for months until Amber Valley Borough Council replaced it on 9 August.

However, the new sign was in place at the end of the rural road for no longer than seven days before it was stolen again.

Councillor David Taylor, who lives in Belper, said: "The Knob Lane sign must be the most borrowed road sign in Derbyshire. It has gone walkies more times than I can remember."

The road sign frame was left empty after recent theft.

He added: "On a serious note, every time it is taken Amber Valley Borough Council has to find the money to replace it.

"Maybe we need to get the lane renamed or we could get it painted on the road."

Amber Valley Borough Council said it had no record of the number of times the sign had been stolen, but the BBC has been sent photographs of it missing in 2009, 2011 and 2022, before the latest theft in 2025.

A council spokesperson said: "It has been stolen a number of times over the years. On this occasion it was installed on the 9th August and it has been already reported on Facebook that it is stolen.

"The sign itself costs around £20, but installation can be costly when you consider the time [it takes] to re-install."

The road sign has gone missing a number of times over the years, shown in 2009, 2011 and 2022.

Ian Beestin, 59, who lives in Belper, spotted the sign was missing when he was on a walk with his wife.

He said: "I noticed that there was a temporary sign, a few months ago it was just plywood, and it had Knob Lane written on it.

"Obviously it makes you laugh a bit because it's such a ridiculous name.

"Then I saw that it had been restored to its former glory with a proper official road sign. I thought well that's good to see that it's been repaired.

"But then I was walking with my wife and I saw the frame was empty and thought 'Well it's gone again, but it was good while it lasted.'

"They should manufacture them and sell them in Derby or Belper, because I'm sure people will be queuing up to buy one."