VILLAGERS are setting up patrols to protect its wild garlic from ‘foodies’ who are stealing it for restaurants and farmers’ markets — amid a boom in the eating of wild flowers.

Residents in Lostwithiel have ‘’declared war’’ against people spotted cutting down the plant and shoving it bags.

There have been reports of strangers foraging illegally and “decimating” wild garlic from public paths.

Locals claim the spate of thefts are by people who are selling the wild garlic to restaurants and farmer’s markets — and using it in pesto to sell.

The latest incident on Monday saw a man seen cutting “all the garlic” on Millham Lane with a knife and placing it in a large plastic bag.

It is legal to cut down and take wild flowers for personal use — but not for commercial purposes and sale.

Locals have reported the thefts ‘Taste of the West’ which promotes local food — and residents are now planning patrols.

One resident posted on the Lost Voice Facebook group: “Walking along Millham Lane just now.

‘’I saw a man with a knife and a large (bin bag size) plastic bag harvesting all the garlic. I asked him where he cooked — near Bodmin?

“So I wondered why he didn’t get garlic closer to home — ‘oh we’ve destroyed it all!’

“So I asked him not to destroy ours. He laughed and said — I’ll try not to. It’s not ok folks — we have to share amongst us all.

“Large plastic sacks full of wild garlic for use in some restaurant will destroy them.

“It makes me very sad and a little angry that people who should know better, i.e. restauranteurs/chefs behave like this.”

Another resident revealed she also witnessed people picking up wild garlic and “destroying whole swathes of plants”.

She claimed they told her “it was for pesto” and that they would be selling it.

The resident continued: “They told me that they were making it for the Royal Cornwall Show.”

“At least that is what it sounded like. We need a patrol actually stopping them, they may not stop in other places but they may stop here!”

According to British Local Food, the law states you “can pick anything growing wild (the four f’s: fruit, flowers, fungi and foliage) on any land as long as it is for personal consumption”.

However it is illegal to forage cultivated crops or wild food for reward, sale or other commercial purpose.

They say ‘’when harvesting, it is also important to always leave most of the wild garlic behind to ensure there will be enough in the future’’

Many have reported similar incidents, one local, who also lives on Millham Lane, said she saw “two people filling bags this morning’’.

She said: ‘’But it didn’t occur to me either that this would be for commercial use but Ia am better informed now”.

Another said: ‘’I returned a few hours later and they had sacks lined up all along the road.

“By the time I’d parked and walked back up they’d gone. I wish I’d taken a note of the registration.

‘’We all forage a bit of garlic, nettles etc for cooking, but this is on a commercial scale and not good.”

A resident wrote: “There’s so much now on television encouraging foraging that all the edible plants could well disappear.

“If people like to enjoy eating wild plants they could plant some in their gardens, and harvest them as needed.

‘’We certainly don’t need restaurateurs stripping our hedges and verges.”

Colin Martin, the Cornwall councillor for Lostwithiel, said: “I’m sure I’m not the only one who wasn’t aware of the difference between foraging for personal consumption and foraging for commercial gain.

“It makes perfect sense when you think about it, but I guess it comes as a surprise to discover a law that’s actually based on common sense.

“I’m also really grateful for the explanation that the individual on the front line is likely to have been misled and exploited by someone behind the scenes and I am sure that will make a difference to the way people respond if they see this happening themselves.

“Thank you Lost Voice. Sharing collective wisdom like this is exactly the reason why this group was created.”