This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqx8rw8nwv1o

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Stolen van that contained 2,500 pies found Top chef's 2,500 pies 'a write off' after van theft
(about 3 hours later)
Jericho Keys talks to Tommy Banks whose van containing 2,500 pies was stolen in Ripon.Jericho Keys talks to Tommy Banks whose van containing 2,500 pies was stolen in Ripon.
A stolen van that contained 2,500 pies has been found by police, a Michelin-starred chef has confirmed. A stolen van that contained 2,500 pies from a Michelin-starred chef has been found by police - but the pies themselves have perished.
Tommy Banks, who runs award-winning restaurants in North Yorkshire, said the van had been due to drop off the pies, worth £25,000, at York Christmas Market on Monday morning.Tommy Banks, who runs award-winning restaurants in North Yorkshire, said the van had been due to drop off the pies, worth £25,000, at York Christmas Market on Monday morning.
However, he believed the white Fiat Ducato had been snatched from a business park in Melmerby, near Ripon, on Sunday night.However, he believed the white Fiat Ducato had been snatched from a business park in Melmerby, near Ripon, on Sunday night.
The refrigerated van was found abandoned with false number plates in the Hemlington area of Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire Police said.The refrigerated van was found abandoned with false number plates in the Hemlington area of Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire Police said.
Mr Banks still does not know who stole his piesMr Banks still does not know who stole his pies
Mr Banks admitted the incident was "a bit like a Wallace & Gromit sketch". Mr Banks said the vehicle was "badly damaged" and "almost certainly a write-off", while the pies were "damaged and not refrigerated, so are also written off".
"I don't think the guys who stole the van were necessarily trying to steal pies. I think they were trying to steal a van and the pies were just collateral," he said. He described a tonne of food going to waste as "a real shame" and "just rubbish".
He does not yet know if the large number of steak and ale, turkey and cranberry, and butternut squash-filled pastries were still in the vehicle. "I don't think the guys who stole the van were necessarily trying to steal pies. I think they were trying to steal a van and the pies were just collateral," Mr Banks added.
The missing pies represented a week's worth of stock, said Mr Banks, who had managed to keep his business open and trading.
"A van is a van, but the amount of work that goes into making pies is huge," he said."A van is a van, but the amount of work that goes into making pies is huge," he said.
He added that he felt "sad" that such a large amount of food could go to waste. North Yorkshire Police said the van was found abandoned in Cleveland on Friday and reported as stolen on Monday.
North Yorkshire Police previously said an investigation had been launched into the theft and asked anyone with information to get in touch. A spokesperson added that the vehicle had been forensically examined, with an investigation launched into the theft.
They added: "We are pleased that the owner has now been reunited with his van, but just as sad as everyone else to hear that the tasty pies in the van have sadly perished."
Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here, external.Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here, external.