Spate of break-ins to ticket machines (From Bucks Free Press)

Spate of break-ins to ticket machines

9:51am Wednesday 20th August 2008

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SECURITY patrols are being stepped-up at south Bucks train stations after a spate of break-ins to ticket machines.

The thefts have involved 'fast ticket' machines which have had their contents stolen in the past week.

Rail bosses have warned commuters at the affected stations - High Wycombe, Gerrards Cross, Stoke Mandeville, Great Missenden, Saunderton and Princes Risborough - could face delays buying tickets.

Replacing the ticket machines will take three to four weeks, while Chiltern Railways install 'more robust' machines.

Chiltern Railways spokesman Michael Scanlan said 'not an inconsiderable amount' was taken.

The company's regional manager for the south, Chad Collins, said: "We would like to assure our passengers that we are doing everything we can to get ticket vending machines back at these stations again and we apologise for the inconvenience caused."

He added:"We take criminal attacks on our stations very seriously and are working closely with the British Transport Police and will be stepping up security patrols."

He advised passengers who booked tickets to be collected from machines at the stations to travel with their email confirmation and pick the tickets up from a station with a working ticket machine.

Passengers changing to another train company will also be able to pick up tickets en route - tickets can be collected from any ticket machine from any train operator.

Extra staff will be at stations and passengers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys.

Anyone with information about the thefts should call police on 0800 40 50 40.

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