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

Security Officer

IP24 3TR
Not Specified
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 01-08-2026
Security Officer.. Elveden Forest | £14.22 per hour.. Be the difference between a good break and a great break.. We are seeking a cheerful and efficient Security Officer to join our team and ensure the safety and security of our village and guests. As the... Read more
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CCTV Operator

Leeds
Not Specified
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 01-08-2026
We are seeking a reliable and proactive CCTV Operator to join our Security Operations Centre (SOC). In this role, you will be responsible for remotely monitoring and responding to incidents across the PureGym estate, including sites in the UK, USA, and Sw... Read more
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Retail Security Officer

Glastonbury
£16 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 31-07-2026
We are currently recruiting for a Retail Security Officer to join the TSS team, working for a well-known site in Glastonbury. Contract Information. Pay Rate: £16.20 per hour. TSS operates on individual site-based rates. Hours: Part-time. Shift Pattern: Va... Read more
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Relief Security Officer

Chester
£16 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 31-07-2026
We are currently recruiting for a Relief Security Officer to join the G4S team, covering a range of well-known sites in Chester. Contract Information. Position: Relief Security Officer. Location: Chester. Pay Rate: £15.74 per hour. Contracted Hours: 36 ho... Read more
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Elite Retail Security Officer

London
£16 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 31-07-2026
Position: Elite Retail Security Officer. Location: Stratford, London. Pay Rate: £15.50 to £16.25 per hour depending on experience. Hours: Various. Shifts: Various between 8.45am to 7.15pm over 7 days. SG / DS SIA licence required. Please note for this rol... Read more
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Retail security officer

Braintree
£14 per hour
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 31-07-2026
About the role. Title – Retail security officer. Pay Rate – £13.96. Location –Braintree. 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. Officers are... Read more
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Relief Security Officer

Wakefield
£14 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 31-07-2026
We are currently recruiting for a Relief Security Officer to join the G4S team, covering a well-known site in Wakefield. Contract Information. Pay Rate: £13.51 per hour. Hours: 0 hour contract only. Shift Pattern: Flexibility required Monday to Sunday, on... Read more
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Security Officer

Barnard Castle
£14 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 31-07-2026
Monitoring CCTV and being able to replay and download clips as requested. Fully understanding the use of the I.T. systems and ensuring the correct application of the I.T security policy. Reporting concerns when property is at risk of being lost, stolen, d... Read more
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Aviation Security Officer

Farnborough
£13 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 31-07-2026
We are currently recruiting Aviation Security Officers to work at Luton Airport and surrounding areas. CONTRACTED HOURS 42 per week. PAY Rate - £13.45 per hour. Monday to Friday shifts. Early start and late finish. September 2026 to June 2027 and then the... Read more
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Security Officer

Chesterfield, Derbyshire
£26,000 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 30-07-2026
Security Officer. Chesterfield. £26,000 - £32,000 OTE + Local Government Pension + 235Days Holiday + Overtime + Excellent Job Security. Are you an experienced Security Officer looking for a stable, long-term career where you can make a real difference whi... Read more
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Retail Security Officer

Newbury
£14 per hour
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 30-07-2026
About the role. Title – Retail security officer. Pay Rate – £13.96. Location – Newbury. 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 ... Read more
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Retail Security Officer

Shrewsbury
£14 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 30-07-2026
Position: Retail Security Officer. Location: Shrewsbury. Pay Rate: £14.35. Hours: Various. Shifts: Various. SG / DS SIA licence required. Your Time at Work. As a Retail Security Officer you will be responsible for. To provide a visible uniformed deterrent... Read more
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Retail Security Officer

Kingston upon Hull
£14 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 30-07-2026
Staffline are looking for a Retail Security Officer in Hull, where no two days will be the same and you will have the opportunity to carve out a career with the biggest name in security. Applicants must have an SIA Licence. Position: Retail Security Offic... Read more
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Site Supervisor

Manchester, Greater Manchester
£40,000 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 30-07-2026
Join an award-winning fire protection business with excellent long-term career progression. Take ownership of site delivery across complex fire protection projects. Work with a highly experienced project team delivering quality-driven solutions for leadin... Read more
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Retail Security Officer

Barry
£14 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 30-07-2026
TSS are looking for a Retail Security Officer to work in a store in Barry, where no two days will be the same and you will have the opportunity to carve out a career with the biggest name in security. Applicants must have an SIA licence. Position: Retail ... Read more
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HGV Driver & Operator

Atherstone, Warwickshire
Not Specified
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 30-07-2026
HGV Driver & Operator. Location: Atherstone. Employment type: Full Time. Working Hours: Monday to Friday, with overtime opportunities available. What's in it for you. We believe in looking after our people, and it shows. When you join Ipsum, you're not ju... Read more
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Relief Security Officer

Kettering
£13 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 29-07-2026
Monitor CCTV systems and security equipment to ensure continuous site surveillance. Access Control. Control and monitor all entry and exit points, verifying identification, issuing passes, and authorising visitors in accordance with site policies. Ensure ... Read more
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Security Officer

Harwell
£15 per hour
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 29-07-2026
We are currently recruiting for a Security Officer to join the G4S team, working for a well known-site in Harwell, Didcot. Contract Information. Pay Rate: £14.88 per hour. Hours: Full-time role, working days and night shifts on a rotation. Shift Pattern: ... Read more
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Security Guard

London
£13 per hour
Job Type: Contract
Posted: 29-07-2026
ATRE is a new security contracting company recruiting reliable SIA Door Supervisors to join our founding security team for ongoing work across London venues and events. We want people who turn up on time, present well, communicate properly, and can be tru... Read more
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Security Assistant

Birmingham, West Midlands (County)
£27,720 per annum
Job Type: Permanent
Posted: 28-07-2026
Candidates with the relevant experience or job titles of; Corporate Security, Security Officer, Security Guard, Experienced Security Officer, Security, Security Enforcement Officer, SIA Licence, SIA Licenced Security Officer, CCTV, Security Support Office... 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.