Hand sanitiser stations around South Tyneside have been broken into and allegedly drunk from.
The pop-up stations have been installed around the borough to make sure the public can keep their hands clean while they return to shops, bars and restaurants and limit the spread of coronavirus.
The hand sanitisers were put up in shopping areas around South Shields and in Jarrow and Hebburn town centres.
But the council has now confirmed that a number have been damaged and used "inappropriately".
Councillor Pat Hay, who represents the Harton ward, wrote on her Facebook page that seven of the 14 hand sanitising dispensers had to be removed from The Nook shopping centre in South Shields due to vandalism.
She wrote: "These stations were put their [sic] to protect the general public while out and about shopping. This is mindless vandalism."
Coun Hay also said that the broken dispensers were no longer fit for use.
Hand sanitiser, which usually contains more than 60% alcohol, have occasionally been stolen from hospitals by people to drink.
But drinking the high alcohol content gels can cause serious illness and could be fatal.
A spokesperson for South Tyneside Council said: “We are aware that a small minority of people are using hand sanitiser stations inappropriately.
“There have also been some incidents of dispensers being vandalised. This is totally unacceptable and we urge people to behave responsibly. Any damage will be reported to the police.
“These points have been installed for the benefit of the whole community and in line with Government guidance around social distancing and hand hygiene to help prevent further spread of Covid-19. ”
