The piercing of supermarket strawberries with sewing needles is comparable to terrorism, Australia's prime minister says, as he demanded sentences of up to 15 years in response to a nationwide scare.
Australian police says today they are investigating reports of dozens of cases of needles embedded in strawberries and other fruits, and warned that those responsible could be jailed for 10 years.
An Australian state offers a large reward for information after sewing needles were found in strawberries sold in supermarkets, in what the federal health minister described as a "vicious crime".
