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More than 100 Australians say they've found needles hidden in strawberries and other fruit
Australian police say there are now more than 100 reports of needles hidden in fruit as of Wednesday. The phenomenon, which mainly affects strawberries, has caused a growing crisis in Australia in the past weeks. Lawmakers are considering new laws to punish the crime more harshly.
A needle in a strawberry.
More than 100 people in Australia have reported finding needles and other shards of metal in strawberries and other fruit across the country, according to the country's government.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton told reporters on Wednesday that he was aware of 100 reports, according to Australia's ABC News.
The phenomenon — which has put people off buying strawberries and has thrown Australia's fruit industry into chaos — has been worsening over the past week.
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Yesterday news outlets reported that people had found needles in an apple and a banana as well.
Of the 100 reports, ABC noted that some may be mistakes or false alarms. Cases have been recorded in most parts of the country.
This is a map of many of the incidents, compiled by news.com.au.
A needle has now been found in an apple in Kellyville, Sydney.
BusinessInsider
Lawmakers in Australia are considering new legislation to more harshly punish people for putting needles in fruit.
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According to Britain's Daily Telegraph, the government is due to hold a vote Thursday to increase the prison sentence for those found guilty of hiding needles from 10 years to 15.
The Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that anyone who would hide a needle in fruit is "a coward and a grub." He said:
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