Vienna reports no cases of tampered Halloween sweets

Vienna has had no reported cases of tampered Halloween sweets so far, ORF reports. Cases have been reported in Canada, Hungary, Germany and parts of Austria, but the background remains unclear.

Psychiatrist Sigrun Roßmanith said the acts could reflect a sadistic motive, turning the gesture of giving sweets into a way to cause fear. Cases involving tampered food date back to the 1980s, she said.

Halloween may have been used as a pretext to express frustration, revenge or resentment, Roßmanith said. The acts could also reflect opposition to the tradition. She said a person might choose such an occasion because it could cause widespread alarm among parents.

Austria’s Federal Criminal Police Office has set up an investigation team and is working with Europol. Authorities suspect an internationally active group may be involved.

Gerald Tatzgern of the Federal Criminal Police Office said the near-worldwide spread of the incidents suggested some degree of coordination. He said investigators could not rule out that a group had called for the acts.

Anyone who finds suspicious sweets in their Halloween haul should keep them and contact the police.