Man arrested after 22 tonnes of cheddar cheese stolen from London dairy

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Neal’s Yard Dairy, based in Southwark, south London, said it delivered 950 wheels of cheddar to an alleged fraudster posing as a wholesale distributor for a major French retailer but said it never received payment. open image in gallery Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver asked fans to be on the lookout in a post on Instagram A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “On Monday, October 21, police received a report of the theft of a large quantity of cheese from a manufacturer based in Southwark. “Inquiries remain ongoing.” Patrick Holden, owner of Holden Farm Dairy, previously told The Independent that two-and-a-half tonnes of his Hafod Welsh cheddar, made using a hundred-year-old recipe from his 90-cow herd, was among the stock allegedly stolen. “Our cheese is limited in quantity but we had it in storage and we worked out it was the most we could spare.” The arrest came after Jamie Oliver asked fans to be on the lookout in a post on Instagram: “Some of the best cheddar cheese in the world has been stolen.” The celebrity chef described it as a “real shame”, adding: “If anyone hears anything about posh cheese going for cheap, it’s probably some wrong’uns.” Neal’s Yard Dairy said in an Instagram post: “To everyone who has rallied to support us in the last few days — thank you.