Sun. Feb 16th, 2025

A significant cheese theft from London’s renowned Neal’s Yard Dairy may have international implications, with reports suggesting that stolen Hafod Welsh Cheddar could be sold abroad. Patrick Holden, the supplier of the stolen cheese, estimated that £300,000 worth of products were taken in a sophisticated scam on October 21.

Holden indicated that the cheese, which includes premium varieties priced up to £45 per kilogram, could be destined for markets in Russia or the Middle East. The fraudsters posed as agents from a French supermarket to orchestrate the theft of 22 tonnes of clothbound cheeses from the Southwark-based dairy.

According to Holden, the scammers requested that the cheese be sent to a different warehouse in London, where it was subsequently collected, effectively covering their tracks. “They have already claimed £300,000, and if they sell the cheese, they’ll get even more,” he said, emphasizing the high value of the stolen goods.

Holden speculated that the thieves would face fewer questions selling the cheese abroad compared to more local markets, where the artisan cheese community is closely knit. “If they tried to sell it in North America or even Australia, people would ask questions,” he explained.

Despite the theft, Neal’s Yard Dairy has committed to honoring its payments to suppliers, maintaining its dedication to the small-scale producers it works with. The company expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support it has received from the artisan cheese community in the wake of the incident.

The Metropolitan Police are actively investigating the theft, and Neal’s Yard Dairy is collaborating with international authorities to track down the culprits and recover the stolen cheese.

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