Syringe trap was not a first

Syringes deliberately discarded by users to prick other people was widespread, a shopping centre manager said yesterday.

Natasha Elder, manager of Palmerston Oasis Shopping Centre, where a shopping trolley was booby-trapped using a syringe this week, said it was not the first time it had happened in Darwin.

“It’s a first for us but I know it happens at other centres,” Ms Elder said.

But a spokesman for Casuarina Shopping Centre said it had never had a syringe incident.

Police have warned the public to be aware of discarded needles.

No other similar incidents had been reported to them.

“It’s something that all people should be aware of, not just people at Palmerston,” Senior Sergeant Chris Lyndon said yesterday.

Anyone in a similar incident should contact police on 131 444.

Newshawk: Stuart Highway
Pubdate: 16th August 2004
Source: Northern Territory News
Author: Name and address withheld by request (letter to the editor)
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Copyright: 2003 Northern Territory News