Man arrested in connection with theft of 22 tonnes of Neal’s Yard cheese
Detectives investigating the theft of more than 22 tonnes of cheese from a London-based artisan cheese retailer and distributor have arrested a 63-year-old man on suspicion of fraud and handling stolen goods.
Neal’s Yard, a British, London-based, artisan cheese retailer and distributor, said it delivered more than 950 wheels of cheddar to the alleged fraudster posing as a wholesale distributor for a major French retailer before realising what had happened.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “On Monday October 21, police received a report of the theft of a large quantity of cheese from a manufacturer based in Southwark.
“Investigating officers have since arrested a 63-year-old man on suspicion of fraud by false representation and handling Stolen Goods.
“The man was taken to a south London police station where he was questioned. He has since been bailed pending further inquiries. Inquiries remain ongoing.”
Neal's Yard said it still paid Hafod, Westcombe and Pitchfork, the producers of the cheese, so they would not have to bear the cost "despite the significant financial blow".
The company have called out to cheesemongers around the world to contact them if they suspect they have been offered or sold the stolen cheese, particularly clothbound cheddars in a 10kg or 24kg format with the tags detached.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver also appealed to his followers on social media to be alert for “lorryloads of posh cheese” being sold “for cheap”.
He told his 10.5 million followers: “There has been a great cheese robbery. Some of the best cheddar cheese in the world has been stolen.”
Tom Calver, director of Westcombe Dairy in Westcombe, Somerset, produced some of the stolen cheese and said he was “hugely distressed” when he heard the news.
Mr Calver, 42, said: “I was really concerned about what it was and the implications of it.
“Neal’s Yard have been fantastic. We are just trying to support them as much as possible by encouraging people to shop with them. It is a huge, very difficult loss.
“What it does show, which I am amazed about, is the value people put on these amazing artisan foods.”
Mr Calver’s Westcombe Cheddar is aged for 12 to 18 months and he said the stolen cheese was produced 15 months ago.
He said: “What worries me is the trust element in things. At the end of the day, what we need to have is more trust in the food supply system, rather than less of it. I hope more people will want to know where their food comes from.”
Neal’s Yard said it was working with police to identify the perpetrators.
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