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 Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “On Monday 21 October, police received a report of the theft of a large quantity of cheese from a Southwark manufacturer.

“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 police station in south London where he was questioned. He has since been released on bail pending further investigation. The investigation is still ongoing.”

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

The company said it was still paying Hafod, Westcombe and Pitchfork, the cheese’s producers, so they did not have to bear the costs “despite the significant financial hit”.

Neal’s Yard Dairy urged cheesemongers around the world to contact them if they suspect the stolen cheese has been offered or sold to them, especially linen-bound cheddars in 10kg or 24kg sizes with the tags removed .

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

Mr Calver, 42, said: “I was really worried about what it was and the implications of it.

“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 was working with police to identify the perpetrators.

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

“It’s ridiculous – of all the things in the world to steal – 22 tons of cheese?” he added.

“What it does show, which blows my mind, is the value people place on this amazing artisanal food.”

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver asked his social media followers to be alert to ‘truckloads of fancy cheese’ being sold ‘for cheap’.

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

Oliver described it as a “real shame”, adding: “If anyone hears about expensive cheese being sold cheaply, it’s probably mistakes.

“Are they going to peel it off the cloth, cut it and grate it and throw it away in the fast food industry, in the commercial industry? I don’t know, it feels really weird to steal.”

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. What we ultimately need is more confidence in the food supply system, not less confidence.

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

Mr Calver’s cheddar sells for £7 for 250 grams.