Supplier Suggests Stolen Cheese May Be Sold Overseas

A supplier informed the BBC that Cheddar taken from Neal’s Yard Dairy, a London-based cheese specialist, might have been transported abroad for resale. Truckles of Patrick Holden’s Hafod Welsh Cheddar were among the £300,000 worth of products stolen in a fraudulent scheme on October 21. Mr. Holden stated his belief that the deception was “sophisticated” and that the cheese could have been moved to Russia or the Middle East. The Met Police is conducting an investigation, and Neal’s Yard Dairy confirmed its collaboration with “international authorities” to identify the perpetrators. These high-value, award-winning cheeses, which include Westcombe and Pitchfork varieties, are sold for up to £45 per kilogram. According to Mr. Holden, the fraudsters impersonated an agent of a French supermarket to acquire 22 tonnes of clothbound cheeses from the Southwark-based company without making payment. “The robbers asked Neal’s Yard to dispatch it to another warehouse in or around London, from which it was then collected by these nefarious people and then it disappeared, so they cleverly covered their tracks.” “They have already claimed £300,000, these criminals, and if they sell the cheese they’ll get more again”, Mr Holden said. Confirming the cheese had already been removed from the warehouse, Mr. Holden stated: “I think they’re hoping to sell it in the Middle East or Russia, that’s my guess.” “Because people won’t ask questions there. I think if they tried to sell it closer to home they’d find it difficult because the international artisan community is very connected,” Mr Holden said. “If they tried to sell it in North America, where we sell a lot of Hafod, or even Australia believe it or not, the balloon would go up because people would ask questions.” Mr. Holden, who operates a dairy farm in western Wales, indicated that he and Neal’s Yard had been “excited” to receive such a substantial order, and he described the theft as a “violation.” “That made it all the more shocking really, that this could happen to a product that is hallmarked with openness and trust and transparency all the way down from the producer to the final customer,” he said. Neal’s Yard Dairy honored its payment obligations to suppliers despite the theft. On Monday, the company expressed gratitude to those who had “rallied” to support the business since the news of the theft, reporting “an overwhelming number of calls, messages, and visits.” It stated: “We are truly touched that so many people in the artisan cheese community and beyond are standing with us. It’s a reminder of why we love the work we do.” Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, posting on social media, urged people to watch for “lorryloads of posh cheese” being sold “for cheap.” Oliver informed his Instagram followers: “There has been a great cheese robbery. Some of the best cheddar cheese in the world has been stolen.” He characterized the event as a “real shame,” adding: “If anyone hears anything about posh cheese going for cheap, it’s probably some wrong’uns.” Mr. Holden commented that while it was a “sad story,” he did not believe the cheese industry would alter its operational practices. He added that he hoped it would serve as a “wake-up call” regarding food production. He said: “Don’t we want more trusted and transparent ways to get out food from the people who produce it?” “I think that is what’s disappeared in our modern food systems, we need to know more about the story behind our food… that should be our right.” The Met Police confirmed its investigation into “the theft of a large quantity of cheese.” For additional content, listeners can access BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites and provides information on its approach to external linking.