CCTV footage captured a significant theft involving approximately 3,000 bottles of Ukrainian wine from a parked lorry at London City Bond. The incident highlights a troubling response from the Metropolitan police, who, after being informed about the crime, decided not to investigate further, stating the driver was unharmed and instead offered mental health support.
Svitlana Tsybak, CEO of the Ukrainian Wine Company, expressed her dismay upon learning of the theft while in Kyiv, where she quickly traveled following the incident on October 13. "They asked the driver if he had been harmed. When he said no, they decided not to come to the site," she recounted. Despite the company’s urgent need for an official report for the insurance claim, the police did not dispatch an officer, opting instead to send an email apologizing for the lack of response.
The theft occurred while the driver, who had arrived from Ukraine, was resting in a monitored parking area before his delivery slot. Sera Karamshuk, a UK-based wine educator representing Ukrainian wines, noted that the thieves specifically targeted sparkling wines from several producers, indicating a level of planning and knowledge about the goods.
"This is not their first time targeting wine deliveries," Karamshuk speculated, based on the operation’s execution and preparation. “They had a mini van and were well-prepared."
The stolen shipment included wines from Grande Vallee, Chateau Chizay, and Kolonist, which were intended for sales during the upcoming Christmas season. "Any theft is awful, but this is fine wine from boutique producers, made while their country is under attack. So it really hurts," Karamshuk lamented.
The loss amounts to thousands of bottles that were crucial for the business’s operations. Tsybak emphasized, "3,000 bottles… gone. I can’t even describe the shock I felt when I received the news. We had planned this shipment for a long time." The ramifications of this theft not only affect the stocks for the Ukrainian Wine Company but also severely impact the wineries producing the goods, many of whom may not have the capacity to replenish their stock after such a loss.
Both Tsybak and Karamshuk are appealing to anyone in the wine industry or the public who might come across the stolen wines to reach out to the Ukrainian Wine Company for tips or information.
For potential leads related to the stolen wine, please contact the Ukrainian Wine Company.