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Illegal Chinese medicine targeted Illegal Chinese medicine targeted
(about 22 hours later)
Chinese medicine shops in London selling products made from endangered animals are to be targeted by a new police campaign. Chinese medicine shops in London selling products made from endangered animals are being targeted by a new police campaign.
The crackdown comes as the demand for products made from tiger bone, rhino horn and bear bile - devastating these animal populations - continues to grow.The crackdown comes as the demand for products made from tiger bone, rhino horn and bear bile - devastating these animal populations - continues to grow.
As part of Operation Charm, posters will urge people not to fuel the trade by buying these illegal medicines. As part of Operation Charm, posters are urging people not to fuel the trade by buying illegal medicines.
Businesses will also be encouraged to display a sticker backing the campaign. Businesses are also being encouraged to display a sticker backing the campaign.
Coinciding with the start of the scheme on Friday, Operation Charm will announce the launch of its website. To coincide with the start of the scheme on Friday, Operation Charm has announced its new website.
Tiger skinsTiger skins
Operation Charm is the Metropolitan Police's ongoing campaign against the illegal trade in endangered species in London. Operation Charm is the Metropolitan Police's ongoing campaign against the illegal trade of items made from endangered species.
Officers said although most of the trade in traditional Chinese medicines is legal, some products are still made from endangered species.Officers said although most of the trade in traditional Chinese medicines is legal, some products are still made from endangered species.
Andy Fisher, head of the Metropolitan Police's wildlife crime unit said: "It is quite unacceptable that illegal acts in London are contributing to the decline of creatures like the tiger."Andy Fisher, head of the Metropolitan Police's wildlife crime unit said: "It is quite unacceptable that illegal acts in London are contributing to the decline of creatures like the tiger."
Backing the scheme, president of the Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (FTCM), Professor Bo-Ying Ma, said the organisation is "not utilising or selling such materials in any form". Backing the scheme, president of the Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (FTCM), Professor Bo-Ying Ma, said the organisation was "not utilising or selling such materials in any form".
The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine also supported the campaign saying it had "always condemned the illegal trade in endangered animal and also plant species ."
Since Operation Charm was launched 10 years ago it has seized more than 30,000 items made from endangered species being sold illegally in London.Since Operation Charm was launched 10 years ago it has seized more than 30,000 items made from endangered species being sold illegally in London.
Earlier this month fur coats thought to be made from tiger, leopard and snow leopard skins were found during a raid at a fur dealer's in Camden, north London.Earlier this month fur coats thought to be made from tiger, leopard and snow leopard skins were found during a raid at a fur dealer's in Camden, north London.