In an unusual case of large-scale theft, the Metropolitan Police have apprehended a 63-year-old man suspected of stealing 22 tonnes of high-quality cheddar cheese from Neal’s Yard Dairy. The incident, which took place on October 21, involved 950 wheels of cheese valued at approximately £300,000 (around $366,000). Authorities suspect the cheese may have been transported out of the UK, possibly to Russia or the Middle East.
The suspect, who allegedly posed as a legitimate wholesale distributor for a major French retailer, was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation and handling stolen goods. He has since been released on bail as the investigation continues, according to a Metropolitan Police spokesperson.
The targeted cheese, sourced from Westcombe Dairy in Somerset along with other suppliers Hafod and Pitchfork, was intended for Neal’s Yard, a well-known London-based cheese retailer. Despite the setback, Neal’s Yard has pledged to cover payments to its suppliers, shielding them from financial impact.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, responding to the unusual heist on Instagram, urged his followers to stay vigilant, humorously warning against “lorryloads of posh cheese” being sold for suspiciously low prices. He referred to the theft as “a great cheese robbery,” calling it “a real shame” to lose such high-quality cheddar.
The dairy community, too, is grappling with the logistics of this unprecedented cheese heist. Tom Calver, director of Westcombe Dairy, praised Neal’s Yard for their support and encouraged continued customer patronage to help the retailer recover. Ben Ticehurst, head cheesemaker at Trethowan Brothers, expressed bewilderment, noting the complexity of transporting such a large quantity of cheese undetected.
With the suspect released on bail, the investigation into this unique case of cheese fraud continues, as police seek to trace the stolen cheese and unravel the logistics behind this unusual theft.
