Like I said, I might pick one up next time I go back home but it seems that if you are not required to go back home to start the Z-visa, you will be OK for now.

Just extended a residence permit when switching jobs and the CRC wasn't needed, despite the fact that new visa applicants do require it.
Having a uni job rather a crappy TC job, means I get that long holiday in the summer, I might do a check then just in case, but I'm not going to fret too much about it.

Seems the UK needs to catch up with the rest of Europe passport-wise and in some other respects:
With my nationality, I can get a new passport from my country of origin within 4-6 weeks via my Embassy, the same for a criminal check record. I just have to apply for it at the my Embassy in Beijng or another Consulate, pay a fee, and the rest is done by them. After 4-6 weeks, I will be handed my new documents from the same Embassy.

The UK has a queen, that's very nice. To have an efficient consular service for their citizens abroad would even by nicer. Seems that at the moment, they seem to be a bit backward in this respect and can't do what most member states of the European Union can do for their citizens abroad. Time to catch up with the rest of Europe (and perhaps with the rest of the world.

New UK passports CANNOT be gained in China anymore, and anyone who tells you any different is a bare faced liar!!!!

Actually got my passport in 3 weeks by posting forms to HK, even though they said 4 weeks. According to a mate, sending a scan of your current residence permit gets the message across that things are pretty urgent and they tend to do a good job with that.