Camden Market trader pleads guilty to £100,000 of illegal silver
On Friday 5th Feb 2026, Ms Li, the proprietor of Little Swan, Stables Market, Camden, pleaded guilty to four breaches of the Hallmarking Act, 1973, at Camden Magistrates court following the seizure of £106,050 worth of silver jewellery without hallmarks by Camden Trading Standards. This marks the third successful prosecution for Operation Stamping It Out – a pioneering hallmarking education and enforcement project – which is delivered by WRi Group in partnership with Trading Standards departments across London, the Southeast and Birmingham on behalf of the London Assay Office.
A sample of the 980 pieces of silver jewellery that was seized from Ms. Li/Little Swan by Camden Trading Standards | Image © Chris Mann/The London Assay Office
Ms. Li’s prosecution followed a series of covert test purchases by WRi Group and a raid by Camden Trading Standards, leading to the seizure of more than 900 pieces of silver jewellery without hallmarks. Upon conviction the proprietor of Little Swan was fined £600 (total) for the 4 offences, a surcharge of £240 and costs of £1188.87
Launched in 2023, Operation Stamping It Out aims to ensure retailers of silver, gold, platinum and palladium jewellery and objects are compliant with the Hallmarking Act (1973) through a programme of education, awareness, and enforcement. More than 480 retail premises have been visited under the programme so far, receiving guidance and advice, and when required given time to bring their trading into compliance with the Act.
However, for those that ignore the advice and flout the law, direct enforcement action is often necessary, with more than £250,000 worth of silver and gold jewellery without hallmarks seized under Operation Stamping It Out as part of active criminal prosecutions in the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets and Camden.
Hallmarking is one of the oldest continuous forms of consumer protection in use today and can trace its origins to the reign of Henry II, more than 840 years ago. It offers customers, retailers and the trade assurance that objects made from precious metals have been independently scientifically tested (assayed), and through the marks that are applied (the Hallmark), tells them what an object is made from, when it was made, who sent it to be Hallmarked (the sponsor), and which of the four UK Assay Offices tested and marked it.
The Hallmarking Act (1973) says that – “it is an offence for any person, in the course of trade or business, to describe an un-hallmarked article as being wholly or partly made of precious metal(s) or to supply un-hallmarked articles to which such a description is applied.” and that “all dealers supplying precious metal jewellery (or other items made of precious metal) shall display a notice explaining the approved hallmarks” – and gives Trading Standards Officers the power to carry out inspections, investigate breaches, and take enforcement actions, including the seizure of objects that do not comply. However, more than a decade of austerity and the resulting budget cuts within local government has left Trading Standards departments over stretched and under resourced.
Speaking about Operation Stamping It Out and Miss Li’s prosecution, Will Evans, Director of the London Assay Office said:
“Since 1478, the London Assay Office has protected consumers and the trade by ensuring the quality of precious metals, playing a pivotal role in helping the thousands of businesses that hallmark in London to achieve compliance with the Law in the UK and internationally. We are incredibly proud to support Operation Stamping It Out and pleased that the collaboration between WRi Group and Camden Trading Standards has led to a third successful prosecution of a rogue trader in one of the Capital’s busiest marketplaces. Through this programme, which has taken more than £250,000 of illegal silver and gold out of circulation so far, we are making a clear statement of support for our industry and the people and businesses who are vital to its ongoing success.”
Graham Mogg, CEO at WRi Group, who leads on the project said:
“Operation Stamping It Out is an excellent example of what can be achieved through a true collaborative approach to tackle illicit trade. Hallmarking breaches place consumers and legitimate retails at risk, and we applaud the actions taken by Camden, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest Trading Standards under the project to mitigate those risks”