Hey, I had my stage 1 shortly before it all changed over to swanwick and prestwick, I live in Birmingham so I was quite lucky. As for security checks, I got given a form at stage 3 to fill out, its like an enhanced disclosure I was told, but to be honest I could have been signing my life away and I wouldn't have known any different! But I thought that only went through if you were successful at stage 3 and have yet heard nothing about how I did, even though they are processing the security vetting now. I'm not sure about your personal circumstances, but if it was many years ago and was minor, I would be surprised if they said no because of that. Maybe ring hour and check. X