London Marathon organisers today promised to beef up security at future races after people were filmed helping themselves to bottled water intended for runners.
Race chiefs are investigating after footage captured dozens of people taking entire crates at a refreshment station in Deptford.
Organisers condemned the actions and said extra security would be provided to volunteers in an effort to stamp out similar behaviour in future.
Hugh Brasher, event director for London Marathon Events, said: “We deplore the scenes we saw yesterday at the water station.
"Hard times in Deptford": The volunteer who filmed the incident said it was a "sad state"Facebook“We will be investigating the matter further, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police, as part of our event debrief.
“In future, we will be providing these volunteers with additional security measures on race day."
The video, which has been shared thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter, shows families load bottles into pull along bags at a refreshment station with children among those watching on.
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Runners can be seen in the background while the water is being taken away from the roadside.
It was filmed by a volunteer, believed to be Mark Hudson, who said in the clip: “Obviously hard times in Deptford.
“Although the last coach has gone past, so the marathon runners are on their own, it's quite a sad state.”
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A spokeswoman for the Met said it was aware of the video but no allegations of theft had been made.