but if you just put any old mate's name as a reference they certainly don't follow it up
They certainly do!
Lets not all get mixed up here, DS is a criminal record check, nothing more, nothing less. Backpacking round Mongolia or wherever still has to be accounted for, but it has nothing to do with DS.
Some folks need to READ the rules before spouting off methinks.
IanH, calm down, you watch too much telly...