The Great Cheese Heist: £300,000 Worth of Cheddar Stolen in U.K.

Imposters stole over 22 tons of high-value cheddar from Neal’s Yard Dairy, alarming the British cheese community and prompting calls for support.

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Dairy farmer fears stolen cheese may be sold in Russia or Middle East

The Independent

Cheese firm hails ‘overwhelming’ response after £300,000 theft

The Guardian

Imposters stole thousands of pounds of posh cheddar, rattling the U.K. cheese world

NPR

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

Neal’s Yard Dairy suffered a major theft when imposters posing as a French retailer took delivery of 950 wheels of award-winning cheddar worth £300,000. The crime, referred to as the great cheese heist, has deeply affected the British artisan cheese community. Celebrities and public figures, including Jamie Oliver, have rallied in support of the retailer and urged vigilance in the cheese community. The Metropolitan Police are investigating the incident, while Neal's Yard Dairy continues to honor payments to its suppliers despite the loss. The cheese is feared to have been taken to Russia or the Middle East.

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