Thieves have stolen cheese worth over £300,000 from the renowned London cheese company, Neal’s Yard Dairy. The culprits posed as wholesalers and managed to make off with 950 clothbound truckles of cheese, which included varieties like Hafod Welsh, Westcombe, and Pitchfork. Neal’s Yard Dairy, situated in Southwark, later discovered that the thieves were part of a fake firm. Despite this, the dairy assured that they had already paid the producers of the stolen cheese, ensuring that the individual dairies would not incur any costs.
Among the stolen haul were more than 22 tonnes of the award-winning and premium-priced Hafod West, Westcombe, and Pitchfork cheeses, as reported by BBC Wales. Hafod West from Neal’s Yard Dairy is sold for £12.90 for a 300g piece, Westcombe carries a price tag of £7.17 for 250g, and Pitchfork is priced at £11 for 250g. Patrick Holden, the owner of the farm that produces Hafod cheddar, emphasised the importance of trust within the artisan cheese industry, where integrity and honesty are fundamental.
Tom Calver, from Westcombe Dairy, highlighted the extensive effort and time invested in creating the stolen cheese, spanning nearly three years from planting seeds for the animals’ feed to transforming the milk into high-quality cheese. The theft of these meticulously crafted products has been described as “absolutely terrible” by Calver. The Metropolitan Police has initiated an investigation into the significant cheese theft.
The incident has stirred emotions within the artisan cheese community, underscoring the trust and dedication that goes into producing these premium products. The impact of the stolen cheese extends beyond just monetary value, as it represents years of hard work, dedication, and craftsmanship.
Cheese lovers and producers alike are reeling from the audacious heist that has rocked the industry. The artisanal cheese world, known for its principles of trust and integrity, must now grapple with the loss of these prized creations. The resilience of Neal’s Yard Dairy and the affected dairies in the face of this setback showcases the unwavering spirit of the artisan cheese community.