Cheese Heist: 22 Tons of Cheddar Stolen in Daring UK Scam
London, United Kingdom (AFP) — In a heist that has left the dairy industry and cheese enthusiasts reeling, a brazen group of scammers orchestrated the theft of 22 tons of premium English and Welsh Cheddar, valued at approximately £300,000 ($388,000). The crime, described by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver as a "brazen heist of shocking proportions," has captured the attention of authorities and the public alike.
The cheese, sourced from small-scale producers Hafod, Westcombe, and Pitchfork, was initially delivered to what was believed to be a legitimate wholesale distributor for a major French retailer. However, the order turned out to be part of an elaborate scam. As the dust settled, Neal’s Yard Dairy, the victim of the con, assured producers they would not bear the financial burden of the theft.
In the wake of the incident, Chef Jamie Oliver has taken to Instagram, urging his followers to remain vigilant. "Be alert if you hear anything about lorry loads of very posh cheese being offered for cheap," Oliver cautioned, hoping that public awareness may lead to the capture of those responsible.
The Metropolitan Police are conducting an investigation into the theft, confirming they are yet to make any arrests. The investigation is active, with officers scouring leads to trace the perpetrators. Meanwhile, Neal’s Yard Dairy has called on cheesemongers globally to report any suspicious cheese sales, specifically looking out for unmarked clothbound cheddars sold in either 10kg or 24kg formats.
As the dairy industry grapples with this unexpected hit, the story of the cheddar heist serves as a reminder of the lengths to which scammers will go to exploit market vulnerabilities. The cheese community remains hopeful that the stolen goods will be recovered, and justice served.
