Fraudsters steal 22 tonnes of high-value cheddar

Neal’s Yard Dairy in London has fallen victim to an alleged identity scam, resulting in the loss of £300,000 worth of artisanal cheese.

The distributor and retailer shipped 22t of cheddar after being contacted by someone posing as a wholesale distributor for a major French retailer.

Before the fraudulent claim was uncovered, the company had arranged the delivery of the 950 cheeses, including Hafod Welsh organic cheddar, Westcombe cheddar, and Pitchfork cheddar.

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A spokesperson at the dairy said: “The sheer audacity of this crime is staggering. It’s a wake-up call for everyone involved in the supply chain.

“While we face significant challenges, we will not allow this act to undermine our values or our mission.”

Compensation 

Despite this significant financial blow, Neal’s Yard Dairy has upheld its commitment to small-scale suppliers by fully compensating three artisan cheesemakers.

In a statement on their blog, the dairy said: “We have always prided ourselves on our ethical commitment to our producers. This incident not only affects our business, but also jeopardises the livelihoods of those who craft exceptional cheese.”

On social media, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver urged people to be alert for “lorryloads of posh cheese” being sold “for cheap.”

No arrests have been made in relation to the alleged theft, and Neal’s Yard Dairy is working with UK and international law enforcement agencies to identify those responsible.

The Metropolitan Police said inquiries are ongoing.