A CCTV operator monitors live or recorded camera feeds — public-space (council and BID-funded city-centre control rooms), private retail or logistics, casino, or transport hub — and acts on what they see: dispatching guards, alerting police, or preserving footage for prosecution.

The SIA Public Space Surveillance (PSS) licence is non-negotiable for any operator monitoring areas open to the public. Recorded footage that ends up in court can only be admitted if the operator was licensed when it was captured, which is why every reputable control room insists on it. Shift patterns are unforgiving: 12-hour days and nights are standard in retail and city-centre rooms; some private contracts run 8-hour shifts but expect weekend rotation. Pay ranges from £11 to £14 in most of the country, £14-£17 in London and Manchester city control rooms.

Watch out for "CCTV operator wanted" ads from logistics yards that quietly mean "warehouse worker who occasionally looks at the cameras" — those don't always need a PSS licence and the pay reflects that. Career-wise, operators often move into investigations, retail loss prevention, or supervisor roles in the same control room. The PSS licence also stacks nicely with the Door Supervisor and Security Guard licences for guards who want to multi-license.

CCTV Operator Jobs

Retail Security Officer

Crawley
£14 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 20-06-2026
Position: Retail Security Officer. Location: Crawley. Pay Rate: £14.20 per hour. Hours: Various. Shifts: Various. SG / DS SIA licence required. Your Time at Work. To provide a visible uniformed deterrent, to contribute to the safety and security of the cl... Read more
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Retail Security Officer

Yeovil
£15 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 19-06-2026
Position: Retail Security Officer. Location: Yeovil. Pay Rate: £15.25 per hour. Hours: Various. Shifts: Various. SG / DS SIA licence required. Your Time at Work. As a Retail Security Officer your duties include. Providing a visible uniformed deterrent, to... Read more
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Retail security officer

Hastings
£13 per hour
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 19-06-2026
About the role. Title – Retail security officer. Pay Rate – £13.10 per hour. Location – Eastbourne/Hastings. Shift Timings – Full time, up to 40 hours per week, must be able to work weekends. Must be able to drive and have previous security experience. Yo... Read more
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Security Officer

Wrexham
£15 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 19-06-2026
About the role. Title – Security Officer. Pay Rate. £14.90 per hour. Location – Wrexham, LL11. Shift Timings – 4 on 4 off, 13:00-22:00. High Calibre Officer – efficient in communication, excellent customer service skills, retail experience within the UK, ... Read more
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Retail security officer

Edinburgh
£14 per hour
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 18-06-2026
About the role. Title – Retail security officer. Pay Rate – £13.95. Location – Edinburgh. Shift Timings – Full time, Night shifts, must be fully flexible and available on weekends. You will be working in a well-known retail store, which holds various stoc... Read more
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NHS Security Officer

TQ2, Cockington
£14 per hour
Job Type: Temporary
Posted: 18-06-2026
Healthcare Security Officer / Enhanced Care Safety Officer. Location: Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust – Torbay Hospital, TQ2 7AA. Shifts: 07:00–19:00 (days) and 19:00–07:00 (nights. Pay rates. £13.60 per hour (Monday–Friday) – Band 3. £18.36 p... Read more
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Senior CCTV Operator

Salisbury, Wiltshire
£16,495 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 18-06-2026
Senior CCTV Operator. Location: Salisbury. Salary: £16,495 - £17,040 (Pro-rata of Full-time Equivalent. Vacancy Type: 21 hours per week. Closing date 23rd June 2026. The Senior CCTV Operator plays a vital role in protecting the safety of Salisbury by moni... Read more
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Security Guard

TF2, Oakengates
£14 per hour
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 18-06-2026
… x 2 Security Guards Required. £13.50 Per hour, :PAYE. 10 Weeks work on a office fit out in Telford. working 6PM-6AM, 7 days a week. Could lead to long term work. Must have SIA Card. CSCS card …
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Security Officer / Door Supervisor

WC1B 5BB
£31,000
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 18-06-2026
Carry out patrols, CCTV monitoring and security checks in line with established procedures.. Support crowd management during busy periods, events and group arrivals.. Work closely with duty management, bar teams and other departments to ensure seamless co... Read more
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Retail security officer

Newcastle upon Tyne
£14 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 17-06-2026
About the role. Title – Retail security officer. Pay Rate – £. 13.58. Location – Newcastle upon Tyne. Shift Timings – Full time, 40 hours per week and must be able to work weekends. You will be working in a well-known retail store, which holds various sto... Read more
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Retail security officer

Fareham
£14 per hour
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 17-06-2026
About the role. Title – Retail security officer. Pay Rate – £13.96. Location. Fareham. Shift Timings – Full time , 40 hours per week and must be able to work weekends. You will be working in a well-known retail store, which holds various stock. Officers a... Read more
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Security Officer

Hillingdon
£16 per hour
Job Type: Temporary
Posted: 17-06-2026
Security Officers - Hillingdon Hospital (Immediate Start. 2 Positions Available | Ongoing Contract (2 Months) | Excellent Rates. We are currently recruiting 2 experienced Security Officers for a busy healthcare environment at Hillingdon Hospital, with an ... Read more
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Retail Security Officer

Taunton
£15 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 17-06-2026
Position: Retail Security Officer. Location: Taunton. Pay Rate: £14.80 -£16.20 per hour. TSS operates on individual site-based rates. Hours: Various. Shifts: Various, including early, mid, and late shifts. SG / DS SIA licence required. Applicants must be ... Read more
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CCTV Operator - Alarm Receiving Operator – Days & Nights

Hilsea, Portsmouth
£28,000 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 17-06-2026
CCTV Operator - Alarm Receiving Operator – Days & Nights. Salary £28,000 - £29,000. Full time 12 hour rotating shift pattern - 08:00 - 20:00 & 20:00 - 08:00. Location:​ Hilsea Portsmouth. ​(Full time 4-day shift /4-day shift – 4-night shift /4-night shift... Read more
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CCTV Security Control Room Operator

W1J, Piccadilly Circus
£38,000 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 17-06-2026
CCTV Security Control Room Operator. Shift pattern: 3 days (0700-1900), 3 nights (1900-0700), 3 off. Location: Central London. Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus. Salary: £38,000 (£13.04 per hour. Do you hold a SIA CCTV license? Would you like to work at a b... Read more
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Security Officer

Maidstone
£14 per hour
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 17-06-2026
Join us as a Security Officer at the Maidstone Hospitals, where you will be required to carry out duties in a busy environment, no two days will be the same and you will have the opportunity to carve out a career with the biggest name in security. Applica... Read more
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Enhanced Security Officer (ESO) - Hinkley Point C

Bridgwater
£17 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 17-06-2026
Great opportunity to work as an Enhanced Security Officer on our prestigious contract at Hinkley Point C. Location: Bridgwater. Hours: Average 42 hours per week, based on a 12-hour shift pattern rotating through days and weekends. Shift Pattern: 4 on 4 of... Read more
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Area Security Officer

Bristol
£13 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 17-06-2026
We are currently recruiting for an Area Security Officer to join the G4S team, working for a well-known site in Bristol. Contract Information. Pay Rate: £13.45 per hour. Hours: Must be available to work a mixture of days, nights, and weekends. Sometimes, ... Read more
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Area Security Officer

Southampton
£13 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 17-06-2026
We have a great opportunity to join the team as an Area Security Officer covering sites in Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester and Basingstoke. You will be required to cover multiple sites such as warehouses, office spaces and business sites of well-known... Read more
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Retail Security Officer

Livingston
£14 per hour
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 17-06-2026
About the role. Title – Retail Security Officer. Pay Rate – 14.00 / PH. Location – Livingston. Shift Timings. Full time, must be fully flexible and able to work weekends. You will be working in a well-known retail store, which holds various stock. Officer... Read more
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Frequently asked questions

Do you need a licence to work as a CCTV operator?

Yes, if you're monitoring areas open to the public. The SIA Public Space Surveillance licence is mandatory for any operator whose footage may be used in court — that includes most city-centre control rooms, retail park monitoring, and casino surveillance.

What hours do CCTV operators work?

Twelve-hour shifts are standard, often on a four-on-four-off pattern or two days / two nights / four off. Night work is common in retail and city-centre control rooms.

How much do CCTV operators earn?

£11-£14 an hour is the norm across most of the UK. London and Manchester city-centre control rooms typically pay £14-£17. Casino and high-end private control rooms can pay more, often £15-£18.