Needles, nails and other sharp metal objects have been found in Halloween sweets in Germany, Austria and Hungary, according to reports from police and local authorities.
In Germany, police in several states have reported cases, from Bavaria in the south-east to Lower Saxony in the north. A nine-year-old girl in Bremervörde, west of Hamburg, hurt her tongue while eating a chocolate bar. A 5cm pin was then found inside it. Police in Bavaria said initial figures this year suggested a significant increase in incidents, with as many as 25 cases involving needles, screws or nails reported in the state. Police in the Middle Franconia region have warned of copycat actions after a mother found a needle in her child's chocolate bar. She later told police her child had admitted to inserting the needle.
In Hungary, police have launched a criminal investigation after nails, screws and pieces of wire were found in sweets handed out to trick-or-treaters in and around Gyömrő, east of Budapest. The local authority said one young girl was given a toffee with a nail inside a chocolate wrapper. She noticed it in time and did not swallow the sweet.
In Austria, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner condemned the incidents as "cowardly, malicious and in some cases life-threatening." Police said investigations were under way in four states. A 10-year-old girl suffered a minor injury to her mouth after biting into a small chocolate bar in the Amstetten area, east of Linz. Lower Austria Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner said those responsible must face the full force of the law. "Our children deserve a carefree childhood and we'll continue to ensure that," she said.
Police in all three countries have urged parents to check what their children have been given.