As millions of us head for the great outdoors, Brits have been warned many of us could be breaking the law without realising it.
With warmer weather finally arriving, many of us will be heading to the countryside, beach or even our own gardens to make the most of the sun.
But could you be finding yourself on the wrong side of the law and be forced to pay a hefty fine as a result?
Studies have shown a correlation between warmer weather and an increase in crime rates, particularly violent crimes and burglary, but what about those seemingly innocent activities many of us could be g
Nick Ross, a legal expert at The University of Law (ULaw) looked at some of the most common springtime crimes.
Is it illegal to pick flowers?
Nothing says springtime like a vase of fresh daffodils or wildflowers in the house. However, be careful where you pick from, or you could end up led away in handcuffs – as two young girls found out in 2011 while picking flowers on a walk with their parents.
Flower picking is covered under two acts of legislation: Under s4(3) of the Theft Act 1968; and The Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981.
A person who picks mushrooms growing wild on any land, or who picks flowers, fruit or foliage from a plant growing wild on any land, does not (although not in possession of the land) steal what he picks, unless he does it for reward or for sale or other commercial purpose.
The section is designed to ensure that if you pick wildflowers, you cannot be guilty of theft unless you do so with the intention of selling them for commercial purposes. This only applies to flowers growing wild, so it is possible to steal flowers from a person’s garden or flowers that are being cultivated or grown for example in a floral display in a park.
There are also certain wild plants that are protected, and it could be an offence to pick, uproot or destroy them under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Is it illegal to take pebbles from a beach?
Under the Coastal Protection Act 1949, the removal of any natural material such as sand and pebbles from public beaches in the UK is illegal.
Bans on seemingly harmless acts can be enforced by local councils, and can see offenders fined up to £1,000 as a penalty.
Yet while it may seem perfectly harmless, removing pebbles and other natural matter from the coast is in fact damaging to the environment.
As suggested by the name of the Act, and as stated in the introduction of the Act, taking natural material from a beach in the UK is illegal, in order to protect Britain’s beaches “against erosion and encroachment by the sea”.
read more
https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/25065829.illegal-pick-flowers-law-uk-says/
