Neal’s Yard Dairy, a cheese company in London, recently faced a major setback when they fell victim to a £300,000 cheese heist. The company had delivered 950 wheels of cheddar, totaling 22 tonnes, to someone posing as a wholesale distributor for a French retailer. However, after the payment date came and went, communication with the alleged fraudster ceased, leaving the company in a difficult situation.
Operations director Owen Baily described the realization of the scam as a gradual process throughout the week following the failed payment. Despite the challenging circumstances, Neal’s Yard Dairy has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from their community. Customers, suppliers, and even celebrities like Jamie Oliver have shown solidarity with the company during this trying time.
In response to the incident, Mr. Baily emphasized the need for improved security and verification measures when dealing with potential buyers in the future. He acknowledged that while their current systems were sufficient, there is always room for enhancement to prevent similar situations from occurring again.
As the company works with authorities to investigate the theft, they are also urging the public to be on the lookout for any suspiciously cheap high-end farmhouse cheddar being sold. The distinctiveness of the stolen cheese makes it challenging to offload, so vigilance from consumers could help track down the missing product.
Despite the setback, Neal’s Yard Dairy remains resolute in their commitment to providing quality British and Irish farmhouse cheese to their customers. The incident may have been a shock, but the company is determined to overcome this challenge and emerge stronger than before. The support they have received serves as a testament to the strong community that surrounds them, and they are grateful for every message, order, and offer of assistance that has come their way.
