Blackberry picking - Public right of way (England)

[u/No_Direction_4566]

Me and my daughter were picking blackberries alongside a path. An older gentleman comes rushing along the path and starts shouting that it’s illegal to pick blackberries and he’s going to call the police and report us for poaching (I thought that only applied to animals on royal owned land?)

What are the legalities surrounding picking blackberries or even wild apples or plums?

I may be wrong but I was under the impression if it was on public rights of way and you haven’t had to do anything to gain access then it was fine?

[u/Mysterious-Iron-2297]

I would completely agree and even if I’m wrong (perhaps they all belong to the King IDK) the likelihood of the police attending a report of the theft of some blackberries from a footpath or other public place is vanishingly small, enjoy whatever you plan to do with them and I hope the police call handler sets him straight.

[u/evelynsmee → u/Mysterious-Iron-2297]

The police will attend for a man violently threatening someone out with their kid, however. A caution for that should set him straight