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The alarming letter sent to parents after strawberry scare at four schools

Parents have been sent an unsettling letter after sabotaged strawberries were found at four Perth schools.

The letter was sent to parents at a school in Pinjarra, south of Perth, on Wednesday.

“Dear Parent/Caregiver, we would like to inform you that WA Police is investigating an incident at our school where a contaminated strawberry was discovered in a student’s recess,” the letter reads.

“The student did not ingest the needle and did not suffer any harm or injury.”

This letter was sent to parents of students at a Pinjarra school, south of Perth, on Wednesday. Source: 7 News
This letter was sent to parents of students at a Pinjarra school, south of Perth, on Wednesday. Source: 7 News
Police are investigating the fruit sabotage at four schools across Perth
Police are investigating the fruit sabotage. Source: 7 News

“The Department of Health (WA) advises that you can still purchase and eat strawberries, but in light of recent events, parents are being asked to cut the fruit before eating or placing in your child’s lunch box.”

The warning comes as police investigate at least 14 cases of contaminated strawberries in Perth and more than 100 incidents around the nation.

On Thursday Woolworths took the precaution of removing sewing needles from its store shelves.

Desperate to keep customers, grocers have posted signs up in store saying that they have scanned the fruits for metal contaminants.

In one case, sabotaged strawberries were sold at the local IGA in Stratton, north east of Perth.

IGA Stratton has erected signs near strawberries
IGA Stratton has erected signs confirming they have scanned their fruit. Source: 7 News

The supermarket has removed the brand of strawberries, TI Strawberries, from its shelves and already has erected signs telling customers punnets have passed a “security check”.

Police have seized security footage from the Stratton IGA, hoping to find the person who placed the needle in the strawberry.

Catholic Education WA confirmed Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Hilton is one of two of its schools caught up in the scare on Wednesday.

Needles have been found in strawberries across the country
Needles have been found in strawberries. Source: 7 News

A student at St Anthony’s in Wanneroo also found a needle in a strawberry.

The strawberry crisis prompted the Prime Minister to announce a new law on Wednesday, dealing with the people behind the string of contaminations.

Anyone caught sticking needles in fruit, or making false claims on social media, could face 10 years behind bars.

“It’s not a joke, it’s not funny, you’re putting the livelihoods of hard working Australians at risk, you’re scaring children, you’re a coward and a grub,” Mr Morrison said.

The advice is to continue packing strawberries in lunch boxes, but make sure you cut them up first.