In a daring heist, £300,000 worth of cheese, including award-winning Hafod Welsh Cheddar, was stolen from London’s renowned Neal’s Yard Dairy on October 21. According to Patrick Holden, the supplier of the Hafod cheese, the stolen products may have been shipped abroad for resale, possibly in Russia or the Middle East.
The theft involved a sophisticated scam where fraudsters impersonated an agent from a French supermarket to obtain 22 tonnes of clothbound cheeses from the Southwark-based company without making any payment. “The robbers asked Neal’s Yard to dispatch it to another warehouse in or around London, from which it was then collected by these nefarious people,” Holden stated, adding that the thieves had managed to cover their tracks effectively.
Holden, who operates a dairy farm in western Wales, expressed his shock at the theft, emphasizing the violation it represented for a product built on trust and transparency. “That made it all the more shocking really, that this could happen to a product that is hallmarked with openness and trust,” he remarked.
Neal’s Yard Dairy confirmed that the cheese had already been removed from their warehouse. Holden speculated that the criminals are targeting markets where inquiries about the product’s origin would be less likely, noting, “I think they’re hoping to sell it in the Middle East or Russia, that’s my guess. Because people won’t ask questions there.” He indicated that selling the cheese in North America or Australia would be more challenging due to the interconnectedness of the international artisan cheese community.
Despite the theft, Neal’s Yard Dairy has committed to honoring payments to its suppliers. On Monday, the company expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support it has received from the artisan cheese community and beyond since the news of the heist broke. “We are truly touched that so many people are standing with us. It’s a reminder of why we love the work we do,” the company stated.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver also weighed in on the incident, calling for vigilance among consumers regarding the sale of “lorryloads of posh cheese” at unusually low prices. On social media, Oliver remarked, “There has been a great cheese robbery. Some of the best cheddar cheese in the world has been stolen.” He encouraged his followers to be on the lookout, adding, “If anyone hears anything about posh cheese going for cheap, it’s probably some wrong’uns.”
As investigations by the Metropolitan Police continue, Neal’s Yard Dairy remains hopeful for the recovery of the stolen cheese and is taking steps to bolster its security measures against future incidents.
