Operation Charm -- The illegal trade in endangered species

Operation Charm was founded by the Metropolitan Police Wildlife Crime Unit in 1995 and is a partnership of organisations campaigning against the illegal trade in endangered species in the UK.

Illegal trade in endangered species such as bear bile, is not only driving species towards extinction but it also has direct impacts on ecosystems and the livelihoods of local people in some of the world’s poorest countries.
This is a major area of international crime and it is threatening many species with extinction. Products made from many endangered species have been found illegally on sale in London.

Traditional Asian Medicine

Traditional Asian Medicine is part of an ancient tradition and has become extremely popular in the UK today as many people turn to alternative medicines and therapies. Most of these medicines are herbal medicines derived from sustainable sources, but some continue to be made from derivatives of animals and plants which are endangered species.

Operation Charm is not against the Traditional Asian Medicine trade but it is working to stop the illegal trade in London in products made from endangered species.

Operation Charm is supported by the Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine and The London Chinatown Chinese Association.

What to do if you witness the sale of an endangered species?

Operation Charm is working hard to stop the illegal trade in endangered species in London but unfortunately this trade continues and we need your help to end it.

If you think you have seen an endangered species product for sale in the UK, or you know someone you believe is involved in the illegal wildlife trade or other wildlife crime, please report it to the Metropolitan Police Wildlife Crime Unit, a partner in Operation Charm, or your local police

There are several ways you can do this:

Using the ‘Report It’ facility on the Operation Charm website
Calling the Wildlife Crime Unit on (020) 7230 8898 between 8:00am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, or emailing

Calling Crimestoppers anonymously and free of charge, on 0800 555 111
Calling the Metropolitan Police non-emergency number 0300 123 1212
Visiting your local police station. Details of all London police stations can be found at www.met.police.uk

For more information on how to spot endangered species products visit the Operation Charm website  Contact us even if you are not sure whether what you have seen is an endangered species. We can investigate and find out.

Remember, the law controls trade, not possession, so the product has to be on sale or being kept or advertised for sale.

With your help we can stop the illegal trade in endangered species.