Man arrested in connection with theft of 22 tons of Neal’s Yard cheese

Detectives investigating the theft of more than 22 tonnes of cheese from Neal’s Yard Dairy have arrested a 63-year-old man on suspicion of fraud and handling stolen goods.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police 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 property.

“The man was taken to a south London police station where he was interviewed. He has since been released on bail pending further enquiries. Investigations remain ongoing.”

Neal’s Yard, a London-based British artisanal cheese retailer and distributor, said it had delivered more than 950 wheels of cheddar to the alleged fraudster posing as a wholesaler for a major French retailer before realizing What happened.

The company said it had still paid Hafod, Westcombe and Pitchfork, the cheese makers, so they would not have to bear the cost “despite the significant financial hit”.

Neal’s Yard Dairy has called on cheesemongers worldwide to contact them if they suspect they have been offered or sold the stolen cheese, particularly cloth-bound cheddars in 10kg or 24kg format with the labels detached.

Tom Calver, director of Westcombe Dairy in Westcombe, Somerset, produced some of the stolen cheese and said he was “very upset” when he heard the news.

Mr Calver, 42, said: “I was very concerned about what it was and its implications.

“Neal’s Yard was fantastic. We just try to support them as much as possible by encouraging people to shop with them.

“It’s a huge, very difficult loss.”

Neal’s Yard said it is working with police to identify the perpetrators.

Mr Calver said it took him half a day to sell a cheese at a market this weekend.

“Is it ridiculous – of all the things in the world to steal – 22 tons of cheese?” he added.

“What it shows, what I’m amazed at, is the value people place on these amazing artisan foods.”

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has asked his social media followers to watch out for “fancy cheese trucks” being sold “on the cheap”.

He told his 10.5 million followers: “It was a big cheese robbery. Some of the best cheddar in the world has been stolen.”

Oliver described it as a “real shame”, adding: “If anyone hears about fancy cheese going cheap, it’s probably a mistake.

“Are they going to peel it off the canvas, cut it up and hack it up and get rid of it in the fast food industry, in the commercial industry? I don’t know – it seems like a really weird thing to nick him.”

Mr Calver’s Westcombe Cheddar is aged between 12 and 18 months and he said the stolen cheese was made 15 months ago.

He said: “What worries me is the trust element of things. At the end of the day, what we need is more trust in the food supply system, rather than less.

“I hope more people will want to know where their food comes from.”

Mr Calver’s Cheddar sells for £7 for 250g.