We have been made aware of the return of a man who visits churches asking clergy for money. The gentlemen in the photo below visited Manchester Cathedral just after 11am on Tuesday 19th March, shortly afterward moving onto St Ann's, Manchester. We have also received reports of him approaching churches on 20th March in the South Manchester area.
His name is Mark Anthony Rhodes and he has an extensive history of defrauding churches including several in this diocese. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7978883.stm
His most recent story was that his bag had been stolen and he needed to return to Scotland.
However, since we shared this notice, several more reports have emerged from local churches all around the diocese. Many have often money in good faith, sometimes as a loan and others as a gift. Mark is often accompanied by a woman and sometimes claims to have moved into the local area. We are told that he is very convincing and churches have given him money to replace a stolen wallet, provide petrol to return to Scotland, offer a loan to help with house repairs and other items. Please be very cautious, advise him that our policy is that we offer no money and that he needs to go to the police for support.
