First Great Eastern has been forced to close automatic ticket machines at some stations due to concerns over the use of forged banknotes and foreign currency.

A concerned commuter, who did not want to be named, contacted Chronicle sister paper the Brentwood Gazette after being told that the automatic ticket machine at Billericay Station had been closed due to this type of problem.

A spokesman for train operator First Great Eastern confirmed that it was a problem at its stations, but refused to identify any specific sites.

The spokesman also refused to divulge how many stations were affected or the type of foreign currency used.

He said: "We have had some problems with forgeries at various places across our network. To protect our revenue we have had to switch some machines off.

"This problem is serious enough for First Great Eastern to be quite concerned about it."

British Transport Police have been informed of the problem and an investigation is underway.

A spokesman for the Southend Transport Police said the investigation covered all of south east England because forged £5 notes had been used at railway stations in Essex and Kent.

He said: "We have collected quite a few hundred pounds worth of forged £5 notes in the past few weeks."

He added: "The notes have been sent to our forensic labs to be checked for fingerprints and CCTV cameras at the stations have been checked."

Published Tuesday, April 9, 2002