We have talked about nothing else since the poor wee girl went missing - and now she's safe!! Well done everyone involved, some of us up here in Glasgow feel like going out for a party too.
God bless wee Shannon.

John Copeland, Glasgow,

Im so glad she has been found.
Ive been praying for her safe return
Well done to the West Yorkshire Police

Michelle, Bradford,

hallelujah

Lynn, toddington, uk

Good news !!

Ian Payne, WALSALL,

To L. Hamilton in Leicester. I don't think that Patrick's statement was snobbery at all and in fact it does have some relevance. I may just be crucified by the PC police for saying this, but when a family is so broken up as one with a mother with 7 kids from 5 fathers, it is more than likely that the kids will be slightly confused as to what is going on and where their place is. I might even go as far as saying that their best interests haven't been taken into consideration by any of the parents (mother and fathers) who after having made one child in a relationship and not being able to keep that child in a solid family relationship, went ahead and made that same mistake five times, not thinking of the impact upon the children.
A child needs stability, whatever anyone might say, and when a child has to go through having several different fathers, they won't have that.
On a more important note, yes it's great that she's been found safe and sound, and well done to the police.

Louise, London,

Fabulous news! Myself and family have always had Shannon in our thoughts for these painstaking days!
Without seeming heartless or making an unjust comment it seems extremely strange to me that after a comment from her mother stating that she thinks someone who knows the family has abducted Shannon, is it not a very large coincidence that it turns out to be a relation who has her. I think the police force most likely have suspicions also as after three weeks away from a loving family home she is now in special police care, is this not an action that is only taken if it is felt that the child would be at risk in the family home!
Although I very much hope this is not the case it would be of no surprise to me if at least one member of her extended family was not also to blame for the childs disappearance.

Loraine, motherwell, scotland

Some expense could have been spared if police interviewed the stepfather and asked about his family. So many unhappy stories seem to have a stepfather in them. Are police ever supposed to learn from the results of all the reports and investigations?

Susan Rebecca Woolf, Harrow, Middlesex

It seems the police involved actually showed some initiative and solved this crime. Not what you really expect nowadays. Will the officer's involved now be hail as hero's or suspended for not filling in the correct paper work before breaking down the door?

Martin McClintock, Barnsley,

Excellent news, i honestly thought of the worst after three weeks of her going missing. This is a perfect example of never giving up hope.

Harvey, London,

I find myself experiencing very contasting emotions over this story. I can only guess at the anguish felt by the parents, and sympathise with them over the moments of agonised imagining of the horrors Shannon might have been going through before she was thankfully found safe. But then I felt curiously embarrassed and cross when viewing the news images of local residents partying and celebrating her safe discovery. Too often I find myself revulsed by the shallowness of people's over-dramatised, over-personalised emotional reactions to such events. Even accepting this is probably a close-knit community, I am cynical about the true depth of feeling some of these people have for the victims. I believe this is a sad indictment of a growing culture where people increasingly find meaning vicariously, fuelled by the media attention, and choose to stake their claim to a chink of the spotlight in a way that comes across (as Simon stated) as a parody of 'Shameless'.

Nigel O'Neil, Hereford, England

What the hell have the Police been doing for three weeks? A relative who is odd, has children in care, has been arrested for taking his own child from school 4 years ago, and this was a "routine" enquiry? He should have been top of the list to see first! I'm flabbergasted people here are congratulating them. Well done to the pair that knocked the door, but the investigation in general sounds shambolic!

Neil, Birmingham, U.K

Thank God she has been found alive, Lets not start balming people at the moment lets celebrate she is home and safe.

claire, brierley hill,

its great news shannons been found her parents must be overjoyed. but lets not forget we still have a little english girl missing maddie..... if only the police in portugal where as good as ours we might have found maddie my prayers r still with her parents on finding her.

sara, devon, england

Very well done
im glad she's alright

John Dunbrough, London,

Uncle of her step-father? Is this accurate? Everything I have seen or heard says that her 'step-father' is no more than one of her mother's boyfriends. Perhaps that's just one of the problems ---- the poor girl doesn't really know who to call 'Dad'.

James Smythe, London,

Great that this little girl has been found. Earlier media reports suggested she was unhappy at home. I understand she's now in care. Over the last few weeks we learned an awful lot about her curious extended /unenviable family background. Hopefully someone can now listen to Shannon and her wishes and feelings taken into account.

Mike, Brighton,

Re. Patrick Bateman's remark:

'Hmmm, 7 kids from 5 different fathers. Chavtastic!'

What relevance does this have to the extremely happy news that this family have received today? Are there statistics to show that children with siblings who have different fathers are more likely to be abducted?? If there are, I've never heard them cited. Pure social snobbery has no place on this forum. All I feel is great relief as an onlooker that Shannon has been found safe and my thoughts are with her.

L. Hamilton, Leicester,

Much has been said about the differences between the McCann case and this one: that the press should be ashamed of calling them chavs and for pointing out that there are 5 kids by 7 different fathers etc.

But - what if these points ARE valid? What if these points DO have a bearing on what has happened to this little girl? What if it turns out that the press were right with their finger pointing?! What does it say about how we live in the UK today? Maybe we SHOULD be more discriminating about how people lead their lives?

Perhaps the righteous columnists who said that this girl's family situation should have had no bearing on the press coverage will have to eat their own words when this case goes to court..

Alix, Rothesay, Scotland

Simon, Leicester, funny isn't it how when the working class go through something as tragic as this - you compare it to an 'entertainment programme' - something to be laughed at. Where are such comparisons to the McCanns?

Marie, Manchester, UK

Keith from Barnsley - I thought a Huddersfield businessman had stumped up the majority of the cash? I agree with Simon (Patrick) from Leiceter - it did look like an episode of Shameless. Colin from London asked if anyone of the many family/neighbour/estate (they all seem to be one and the same intermingled somehow) people are "waged". Possibly waged through benefits, courtesy of the earning tax payer!

Sean, Brighton,

What great news Shannon is finally safe. What ever the outcome of the reason that she was taken, that girl is now scarred for life. We cant blame anyone or anything until all the facts are known. At least that girl is safe and thanks to good neighbours, and a fantastic police force.

Rachael, leeds, West Yorkshire

It is, i agree, a great relief shannon has been found alive. Very concerning however that for 24 days she has been 'concealed' with a 39 year old, who's own children have been removed from him for an unmentioned reason. Her mother is going to celebrate with 'a party'. Cheers. God help her.

helen, devon,

I can't believe the 24hr television news last night saying things like 'questions must be asked why it took the police so long'.

Let's commend West Yorkshire police for a fantastic outcome. If the two officers had just walked away from that flat, the result could have been very, very different.

MarkS, Leeds,

Other than the police, is anyone involved in all this actually waged? Not a criticism, just an observation.

Colin Soames, London,

Fantastic news that Shannon has been found . Yes Patrick of Leicester it may look like a real life episode of Shameless and the media may find amusement in the grim up t north surroundings.However this community, of high social depravation, did something that is sadly lacking in the UK today, they provided support ,friendship and their hard earned cash to fund their own campaign. Compare this with the cash rich, media slick McCann campaign who have ensured their plight has never been away from the public spotlight. since Maddys disappearance.

Keith , Barnsley, S.Yorks

Fantastic news that Shannon is alive and well, fantastic that a quick and observant neighbour raised the alarm. Not so fantastic about what happens now, we do not know what kind of family environment she is going back to.

Alison, Madrid, Spain

Your headline says she was 'hiding' - it may well be that she was 'hidden' of course - a better word would be 'concealed' which leaves the matter of whose choice it was open!

dominic, Teddington, Middlesex,

A very sad affair and great news that she has been found. But is it just me or does anyone else feel this is like watching a real life episode of Shameless?

Simon, Leicester,

John Mortimer QC wrote a 'Rumpole' story entitled 'Little Boy Lost'. The plot was a faked abduction to secure payouts from the red tops for the 'story'. I think we may well have a case of 'Little Girl not lost' here.

Mixhael Wilson, Mexico City, Mexico

This can only give a little more hope to the parents of Madelaine, Geremy Vargas and all the other missing children around the world. God bless them all.
Congratulations to our fantasic police force.

jenny, Southend-on-sea,Essex, England

And all down to an observant and responsible downstairs neighbour who reported a child's footsteps in the uncle's flat.

She deserves a medal. And protection, too, probably.

The police should use this as an example of good relations between themselves and their public.

Great co-operation - long may it continue.

Annie, Bath, UK

This man must have been very emotionally disturbed, I hope people consider the facts as they emerge and dont start mud-slinging until they do. It is wonderful she has been returned safely.

John Rule, selsdon, surrey

Quite rightly no cost was spared in finding Shannon.
The search for Shannon was an operation far more focussed and coordinated than anything done so far to find Madeleine. We should discount the excessive media publicity about Madeleine and demand a similar UK police investigation for her.

Yvonne, Cambs, UK

Hmmm, 7 kids from 5 different fathers. Chavtastic!

Patrick Bateman, London,

Well done to Yorkshires finest Police Force. Your" never give up attitude" has returned this little girl safe to her loved ones.
Go bless Shannon.

Adrian Marsden, Liversdege, West Yorkshire

Why did it take over three weeks for the police to interview 'known associates' of the girl?

LS, Edinburgh,

What brilliant news, thankgod the police kept up their search aswell as everyone else who was involed. It's nice to know that she's safe and unharmed. It's such a relief Welcome home Shannon!!.

Emma R 17 , Manchester , England

Thank God Shannon was found alive. I hope it's true that the man took her simply because he missed his daughters, and that he didn't physically harm her. At least she is alive. What a relief this must be for the little girl's family.

JB, Boston, MA, USA

I'm so very happy that Shannon's been found!! Thank goodness the police kept up their fantastic efforts to find her!! Good news like this is so hard to find these days!! Excellent work on the part of everyone involved in finding this little girl!!
Welcome home, Shannon!!

Kelly, Loveland, Colorado, USA

Why did Mr Drake lose contact with his own children?

It is very relevant, that this information should be brought out and understood.

Who took away his contact with them - and why?

Charlotte Peters Rock, Knutsford, England

At last! Some good news! I am so pleased that there the girl has been returned to her family. Great news.

Edwin, Bucharest,

thank god this little girl has been found alive & hopefully well, good luck to her & i hope she can eventually learn to forget what must have been a very frightening experience for a youngster,

martin johnson, leicester, united kingdom

Much praise to the neighbor who was so observant!
>>February 21 Police confirm Shannon’s friends said she talked of running away from home<<

This makes me wonder. Was her stepfather cruel to her? Did her stepfather out of "misplaced kindness" offer to let her live with him? Obviously, the Uncle is in need of help. As far as the little girls is concerned, I don't think this is over yet. I think your family court should look into this situation. This child needs a Court Appointed Special Advocate to look after interests.

Paul Handley: Warner Robins, Georgia, USA

Paul Handley, Warner Robins, GA USA

Fantastic news, Job Well Done! West Yorkshire Police, and all others involved, a superb result to all involved in seaching for little Shannon.

Mike Thompson, Gloucestershire., England

Fantastic news she has been found safe and lets hope well. Congratulations to West Yorkshire Police.

Stu Turnbull, Gateshead,

Well done to the police - we often hear criticism of them but we don't hear about the painstaking work that goes on day after day on the public's behalf. I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all those officers involved.

Jayne Mottram, Marlcliff, Warwickshire