Job Discussion Forums

[China2]

I will starting a new job in China (first time) early in the new year. My new employers have said that I need to give them a non-criminal/police report. I am a UK citizen, but have not actually lived there for many years (over 20 years), and am thinking that maybe the UK police won't give me a report as I haven't been in the country for so long. Meanwhile HR are saying that it must be from the UK.

Has anyone had a similar experience and if so how did you solve it?

[hz88]

As an assistant to the FAO I have come across this question several times.

When our province introduced this rule during 2013 and we had to obtain it for our existing teachers who were renewing, we advised the ones from The UK to obtain it online, have it sent to their parents/relatives and then scan it and have the original sent to China. Either that or they would have had to return home to get one. There are several companies offering this service, the one we use for our teachers (and pay for) is here:-

https://www.onlinedbschecks.co.uk/basic-disclosure/

Being British myself I am familiar with the process. The fact you have not resided in The UK for a considerable time is academic. The police will provide a report stating whether you have a record or not based on your date of birth, NI number and other unique details which only you can provide and know.

[China2]

Thanks for the very useful information and link

However, the information in the link does say that you need to say what your address(es) have been for the last 5 years, and that your current address in the UK, or your application will be rejected.

[China2]

..that your current address has to be in the UK.....

[hz88]

Thanks for pointing that out. I certainly have not had a fixed address in England for over 12 years. However I have maintained a bank account etc at my parents address so I used this information to cover that aspect.

The other foreign teachers I have had to deal with are obviously not as well traveled as you are and were able to deal with that side of things otherwise I would have had this problem come up already.

My Brother happens to be a police officer in England and I asked his advice. He said that you can simply request a Subject Access request under section 7 of the Data protection act 1998 and send it to the address below with a certified copy of your passport and NI number and they will send you confirmation to anywhere worldwide.

There is no charge for this service but it can take 12 weeks to get a response.

ACPO Criminal Records Office
P O Box 123
Fareham
PO14 9HR UK

The email helpline is [email protected]

but they will only accept applications in writing and it has to be requested under the exact data protection regulation above.

Hope that helps, otherwise it will be a trip back to The UK and you will have to go to any police station with your documents, pay the fee and wait for them to process it.