Stolen cheddar might be heading to Russia, supplier tells BBC

Cheddar stolen from London food specializer Neal’s Yard Dairy whitethorn person been shipped overseas to beryllium sold on, a supplier has told the BBC.

Truckles of Patrick Holden's Hafod Welsh Cheddar was among the £300,000 worthy of produce stolen successful a caller scam.

Mr Holden said helium believed the con was "sophisticated" and that the food could person been taken to Russia oregon the Middle East.

"They person already claimed £300,000, these criminals, and if they merchantability the food they’ll get much again", Mr Holden said.

Fraudsters posing arsenic morganatic wholesalers received the 22 tonnes of clothbound cheeses from the Southwark-based institution earlier it was realised they were a fake firm.

The high-value, award-winning cheeses, which besides see Westcombe and Pitchfork are sold for arsenic overmuch arsenic £45 per kg.

At the clip the bid was made, Neal's Yard believed it had travel from an cause for a French supermarket, Mr Holden told Radio 4's Today programme.

But aft it was delivered to a warehouse connected the outskirts of London, the invoice was not paid.

Mr Holden, who runs a dairy workplace successful occidental Wales, said helium and Neal's Yard had been "excited" to person specified a ample bid and the theft had been a "violation".

"That made it each the much shocking truly that this could hap to a merchandise that is hallmarked with openness and spot and transparency each the mode down from the shaper to the last customer”

Celebrity cook Jamie Oliver called for radical to support an oculus retired for "lorryloads of posh cheese" being sold "for cheap".

In a station connected Instagram, Oliver told his followers: "There has been a large food robbery. Some of the champion cheddar food successful the satellite has been stolen."

He described it arsenic a "real shame", adding: "If anyone hears thing astir posh food going for cheap, it's astir apt immoderate wrong'uns."

Mr Holden said though it was a "sad story", helium did not deliberation the food manufacture would alteration however it operates.

He added that helium hoped it would service arsenic a "wake-up call" astir nutrient production.

“Don’t we privation much trusted and transparent ways to get retired nutrient from the radical who nutrient it?

"I deliberation that is what’s disappeared successful our modern nutrient systems, we request to cognize much astir the communicative down our food…that should beryllium our right."

The Met Police has confirmed it is investigating "the theft of a ample quantity of cheese".