Bungling police sent out an appeal for help catching an escaped convict today – who had already turned himself in six days ago.

Officers from Gloucestershire Police warned prolific burglar Mark Rhodes had been on the run from an open jail on the Isle of Sheppey since September 18.

But shortly after saying Rhodes had gone missing they had to back track - because he'd already given himself up to police in Norwich.

The 26-year-old, who was arrested in Ipswich in May 2009 after his photo appeared on BBC show Crimewatch, had surrendered on September 25.

Rhodes was meant to be serving five years behind bars in Standford Hill Prison for fraud and distraction burglary.

He has since been transferred to HMP Norwich.