Patrolling officers in Newark responded to complaints of people licking the handset in a public phone box by making them clean up after themselves.
Two people were said to have licked a public phone in the Winthorpe Estate, Newark amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Officers said after locating the suspects they explained why their actions could have serious consequences.
They were then supervised by the police while cleaning the phone box with disinfectant.
In a post on Facebook on Friday, April 3, Newark Police wrote: "The Bridge Beat Team has received complaints of two people licking a public telephone box on the Winthorpe Estate.
"After we identified the suspects we explained the potential consequences of their actions and escorted them back to the phone box and supervised them whilst they cleaned it top to bottom with disinfectant.
"In addition, we have also had numerous reports of residents not following the government guidance on social distancing.
"The team have visited each address reported, engaged, educated and encouraged them to follow government guidelines.
"The majority of residents are keeping to the guidelines which in turn will help the NHS save lives."
