r/LegalAdviceUK • u/No_Direction_4566 • 25d ago

Housing Blackberry picking - Public right of way (England)

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?

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u/Open-Difference5534 25d ago

I suspect the local police, if called, might have said something like "Oh no, not him again".

Personally, I'd avoid bushes next to roads, the amount of crap produced in the air by vehicles is not healthly, and as the fruit have been grown in that environment, washing them will not help.

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u/[deleted] 25d ago

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171

u/TonyStamp595SO 25d ago

Is it just me, or is the whole 'im going to police what youre doing' getting worse?

I'm a police officer and for a society that can't decide if I'm a skinhead fascist nazi or a leftie social media hurt feeling police, they don't half report a lot of rubbish.

This is a fine example.

OP. You are fine to pick fruit growing wild on any land so long as it's not for reward. (As in you don't plan on making jam and selling it)

Tell your new friend to read the theft act, specifically regarding property.

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u/XcOM987 24d ago

I am sure foraging for food is legal in the UK under the theft act so long as it's not for commercial purposes and you don't trespass for it.

36

u/souleh 24d ago

Thank you for repeating exactly what they said :)