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03
Dec
2,500 pies stolen from van near Ripon
A van containing 2,500 pies was stolen from a Melmerby business park over the weekend.
Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks – who owns some of the county’s most prestigious restaurants – yesterday took to social media after his stock, which was headed for York Christmas Market, was stolen.
Mr Banks, who also heads up Tommy’s Pie Shop, said nearly a ton of pies were stolen as a result of the van theft.
He said online:
ROBBED!! So, Matthew Lockwood went into Made in Oldstead this morning to pick up the van and it has been stolen.
The guys had loaded up the van with stock for Tommy’s Pie Shop today and left [it] plugged in overnight. I am guessing the thieves didn’t realise they were stealing 2,500 pies along with the van! The pies are all in boxes with my name on, so not very easy to sell.
There was around £25,000 worth of stock in the van, including the meat and flour that go into the pies, Mr Banks said.
He urged the thieves to “drop the pies off somewhere”, adding:
So we can at least give them to people who need food and they are not wasted. Also I think you are a thieving piece of s*** and I hope you don’t get any presents this Christmas.
The chef told the BBC the stolen pies – which included steak and ale pies, turkey and cranberry pies and butternut squash pies – would have been about a week’s worth of stock for the pop-up pie shop.
In an update today (December 3), Mr Banks told his social media followers police had found the van but the number plates had been replaced.
Police investigation ongoing
North Yorkshire Police issued a statement on the theft today. It said:
North Yorkshire Police received a report on 2 December that a refrigerated vehicle containing valuable food stock, including pies, had been stolen from a business park in Melmerby near Ripon, over the weekend of 29 November to 2 December 2024.
The vehicle, a white Fiat Ducato van, was found abandoned with false number plates in the Hemlington area of Middlesbrough and was recovered by Cleveland Police on 29/30 November.
Police are investigating the theft and urged anyone with information to get in touch, adding:
An investigation is ongoing into the theft and anyone who has any information is asked to get in touch.
Please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information to the Force Control Room.
If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote reference 12240219809 when passing on information.
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