UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A Leicestershire Police officer was found guilty of gross misconduct for issuing a community resolution for mushroom foraging without speaking to the offender.
As reported by Will Jefford of the BBC, an officer linked to efforts to sanction a woman over mushroom foraging has been ruled guilty of gross misconduct.
How did the misconduct panel rule on an officer’s mushroom foraging resolution?
Louise Gather traveled from her home in Derby to Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, to search for magpie inkcaps, a rare type of fungus.
The 39-year-old said she had not foraged any mushrooms, but former PC Christopher Vickers later visited her home and issued a community resolution.
The panel concluded that the former officer provided the paperwork to Mrs Gather’s husband and falsely recorded in police systems that he had spoken with her.
The misconduct panel said he would have been dismissed over the incident if still serving, noting his actions were dishonest, deliberate, and could harm public trust.
A Leicestershire Police report after the hearing stated that the case could have caused Mrs Gather “significant” harm.
The report added,
“She ultimately could have lost her job had the CR [community resolution] remained on her enhanced DBS checks.”
It was found that Vickers had breached police policy while issuing the community resolution.
According to Mrs Gather, the order barred her from removing any items from the park and required her to respect its status as a designated site of special scientific interest, where mushroom picking is illegal.
Mrs Gather said she considered the actions of Leicestershire Police “a bit excessive,” though the misconduct panel did not assess this. The 29 October 2025 hearing heard that the force received a report of a woman picking mushrooms on 8 November 2024.
Former PC Vickers visited Mrs Gather’s home and informed her husband that a community resolution would be issued, which her husband signed before the officer departed.
After the visit, Vickers recorded in the police system that he had spoken to Mrs Gather, that she had admitted the offence, and that she had received the community resolution.
Commenting on the claim, the former officer accepted responsibility for his actions, explaining that he had intended to call Mrs Gather but did not follow through.
According to the committee, Vickers was aware his actions breached policy and acted for his own convenience to avoid what he considered unnecessary tasks.
After the misconduct hearing, Mrs Gather said she had not personally filed or pursued a complaint against the former officer.
She stated,
“The professional standards department asked for my version of events after the story was picked up by the press, when they realised that the officer had recorded a crime on my record without evidence or ever speaking to me.”
Mrs Gather continued,
“Leicestershire Police had already apologised, and the charge was removed from my record. I had no idea that records had been falsified or that the officer’s actions constituted gross misconduct.”
Which areas have banned mushroom foraging?
Certain areas in Britain have introduced bans or limits on mushroom foraging. The New Forest, managed by the Forestry Commission, prohibits the collection of wild fungi, while other areas restrict the quantities that can be picked.
In the US, mushroom foraging is banned in all National Parks and most National Monuments, though it is often allowed in National Forests.
Australian states have differing rules for mushroom foraging. Picking is banned in Western and South Australian state forests, whereas in Queensland, a permit is needed for several public reserves.
What is a community resolution order?
A community resolution order is used for minor offences when formal charges are not necessary. Under a voluntary agreement, the offender may offer an apology, provide compensation, or follow other specified conditions.
Offenders who complete the process may avoid a formal conviction, with no court appearance or criminal record.