Prisoner on the run could be Scotland bound

Police officers searching for an escaped prisoner have warned that he could be heading for Scotland.

Mark Rhodes, 26, who is described as a prolific burglar, was serving a five-year sentence at HMP Standford Hill, in Kent, for fraud and distraction burglary. He was last seen at the Category D Open prison on 18 September.

Rhodes who was arrested in Ipswich in 2009 after a hunt which covered 18 police force areas, is originally from Scotland.

He had two methods of offending. In the first he knocked on doors, claiming a link to the local vicar, and then asked householders to lend him money.

His other method involved knocking on doors, claiming to have broken down. He would then distract the householder before stealing cash, bank cards and other similar items.