BS 7858 is the British Standard for vetting individuals employed in security roles — guards, ARC operators, CCTV monitors, key holders. It specifies the minimum checks that must be carried out before someone takes up a security-sensitive role: identity, employment history (typically 5 years), education, criminal record, financial probity, and right-to-work. The current edition is BS 7858:2019. Most ACS-approved companies vet to BS 7858 as standard.
Issued by
British Standards Institution (BSI).
Why it matters
If a security provider hasn't BS 7858-vetted their staff, you're trusting people on your premises whose employment history and criminal record are unverified. For any premises with valuables, sensitive data, or vulnerable people, BS 7858 vetting is non-negotiable.
Questions to ask a provider
- Are all your officers vetted to BS 7858:2019?
- How do you handle gaps in employment history?
- How quickly can you produce vetting documentation for an audit?
Related terms
Looking for a UK security provider with this accreditation? SitePatrol lists vetted providers across the UK — filter by accreditation, county and service.