Neals Yard Dairy said they were tricked into thinking the man was a wholesale distributor (Picture: Shutterstock/Alan Kean)

A man has been arrested on suspicion of stealing more 900 wheels of cheese from a dairy shop in London.

Detectives investigating the theft of 22 tonnes of cheese from Neal’s Yard Dairy have arrested a 63-year-old man on suspicion of fraud by false representation and handling stolen goods.

Neal’s Yard Dairy said it delivered more than 950 wheels of it to the fraudsters, who claimed they were a wholesale distributor for a major French retailer.

It was only afterwards they realised the whole thing was a scam.

A Metropolitan Police 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.

Investigating officers have since arrested a 63-year-old man on suspicion of fraud by false representation and handling stolen goods.

The man was taken to a south London police station where he was questioned. He has since been bailed pending further inquiries.

Inquiries remain ongoing.

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The firm said it would still pay the three small-scale producers, Hafod, Westcombe and Pitchfork, who made the cheese, ‘despite the significant financial blow’ Neal’s Yard Dairy would incur as a result.

Jamie Oliver posted about the theft on his Instagram page, writing: ‘In a shocking turn of events, Neal’s Yard Dairy has fallen victim to a brazen heist of epic proportions.

‘A staggering 22 tonnes of premium cheddar, worth £300,000, have vanished, leaving the cheese world reeling.’

Neal’s Yard Dairy urged cheesemongers around the world to contact them if they suspect they have been sold the stolen cheese, particularly clothbound cheddars in a 10kg or 24kg format with the tags detached.

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Cheesemakers Westcombe joined the call, posting a video on their Instagram page asking people to keep an eye out for the cheddar.

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