22 tonnes of Cheddar worth £300,000 stolen from Neal’s Yard Dairy

A company spokesman said: “The theft involved a fraudulent buyer posing as a legitimate wholesale distributor for a major French retailer. The fraud was deceptively convincing, with the perpetrators impersonating a well-known distributor in the European cheese industry who had previously run large artisanal cheese promotions for the French retailer.

“An elaborate contract was drawn up, outlining detailed payment terms, and conversations with the alleged representative demonstrated a deep understanding of the sector, lending further credibility to the scheme. The complexity of the operation made it difficult to detect the fraud until it was too late.

Neal’s Yard Dairy, which became one of the UK’s most respected cheese mongers since it was founded in 1979 to support British and Irish cheese, added: “The high monetary value of these cheeses has probably made them a particular target for thieves.

“Despite the significant financial hit, we honored our commitment to our small suppliers and paid all three artisan cheesemakers in full.”

“Betrayal of trust” in the cheese sector

The makers of the stolen cheeses described the theft as a betrayal of the bond of trust that exists in the artisanal cheese sector.

Patrick Holden, who owns the farm where Hafod Cheddar is produced, said: “It might seem naïve to fall victim to a scam, but the truth is that the world of artisan cheese is a place where trust is deeply embedded in all transactions.

“This fraudulent customer’s breach of trust is a violation of the atmosphere of good faith and respect that all of Neal’s Yard Dairy’s business dealings have embodied over the years. It’s a world where one’s word is one’s bond.”

Tom Calver, director of Westcombe Dairy, said: “We are devastated that this fraud has targeted one of our most valued customers. Neal’s Yard Dairy is an absolute champion of British farmhouse cheese and the truth is they have continued to put us, their supplier, first, making sure we are paid for the cheese, even in the darkest of times.”

“Too good to be true”

The theft left Neal’s Yard Dairy fans stunned.

Jamie Olivercelebrity chef and author, posted on Instagram: “In a shocking turn of events, Neal’s Yard Dairy has fallen victim to a theft of epic proportions. A staggering 22 tonnes of premium Cheddar worth £300,000 have gone missing, leaving the cheese world reeling.

“Cheese enthusiasts are advised to be aware of suspiciously large quantities of premium Cheddar on the black market. Remember, if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is! Let’s find these cheese thieves.”

The Metropolitan Police are investigating the theft but have so far made no arrests.

Scotland Yard said: “On Monday 21st October we received a report of the theft of a large quantity of cheese from a manufacturer based in Southwark. Inquiries are ongoing into the circumstances.”