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Security Officer jobs in the United Kingdom

Security work is about consistency: clear routines, strong observation, and correct reporting. Many sites require an SIA licence depending on duties.

Facilities & Safety Entry / Mid Sponsorship: limited / case-by-case (indicative) —
Typical gross hourly pay £12.71–£16.50+ / hour (site & shift dependent)
Common site types Corporate, retail, construction gatehouse, logistics
Shift patterns Days/nights, weekends, 4-on-4-off (varies)
Licence SIA often required (depends on duties)
CV required: candidates without a CV are not considered.
Work eligibility: non-UK candidates must have the right to work in the UK, or apply for roles where sponsorship may be possible (depends on employer and role).
Candidate portrait Duties by site type Requirements & licensing Pay & UK work rules How to apply FAQ
Apply with CV Back to UK vacancies

Short candidate portrait (who gets hired and promoted)

Professional behaviours

  • Calm authority: you can say “no” politely and firmly.
  • Observation: you notice changes (vehicles, people, access points).
  • De-escalation: you reduce conflict before it becomes an incident.
  • Documentation: clear logs, correct times, factual language.

Operational strengths

  • Shift discipline: punctual handovers, consistent patrol timing.
  • Procedure-first mindset: you follow site rules exactly.
  • Customer-facing polish: corporate and retail sites require professionalism.
  • Basic English: enough for radio comms, instructions, and reports.
CV tip: list your site types (retail, corporate, gatehouse, patrol), systems (CCTV, access control), and your incident writing ability (logs, handovers, witness notes).

Typical responsibilities (static / corporate)

  1. Control access: visitor sign-in, badges, basic ID checks as per site rules.
  2. Monitor cameras/alarms where applicable and respond to alerts.
  3. Conduct scheduled patrols and secure doors/areas.
  4. Write accurate logs and clear handover notes.
  5. Escalate issues early: safety hazards, suspicious activity, policy breaches.

Typical responsibilities (retail / loss prevention)

  • Visible presence to deter theft and disorder.
  • Support staff with conflict management and safe interventions (site policy-led).
  • Monitor entrances/exits and respond to incidents appropriately.
  • Preserve evidence and record facts clearly.
  • Maintain professional conduct under pressure in public settings.

Typical responsibilities (mobile patrol)

  • Patrol multiple locations; follow route discipline and checklists.
  • Lock/unlock procedures, perimeter checks, alarm response support.
  • Accurate reporting with timestamps and site photos (if policy allows).
  • Driving safety and vehicle care (role dependent).
  • Communicate clearly with control room / supervisors.

A “shift handover” story (unique to this job page)

Most security problems happen during transitions. Strong handovers prevent repeat incidents and protect your credibility.

What a strong handover includes

  • Outstanding issues + exact location(s)
  • People/vehicles to watch (factual, not emotional)
  • Any temporary rules (blocked doors, maintenance areas)
  • Equipment status (radios, keys, access cards)

What to avoid

  • Opinions without evidence
  • Missing times, missing names, missing actions taken
  • Informal “memory-only” reporting
  • Escalation delays

Requirements (detailed)

  • English CV: mandatory (site types, systems, shifts you accept).
  • Professional conduct: calm, respectful, reliable under pressure.
  • Reporting: ability to write factual incident notes and handovers.
  • Communication: basic English for instructions, radios, and safety.
  • Right to work: you must be legally eligible to work in the UK, or eligible for a route where sponsorship may be possible.
  • Vetting: background screening is common on many sites (requirements vary).

SIA licensing (what candidates must know)

  • Licence-linked training: you need the correct qualification before applying for many SIA front line licences.
  • Licence depends on duties: Security Guarding, Door Supervisor, or CCTV are common categories (site decides).
  • First aid requirement: for door supervision and security guarding training, valid first aid is required before licence-linked training.
  • Timing: plan ahead—licensing and checks can take time; do not assume instant start dates.
Practical advice: if you already hold an SIA licence, list the licence type and expiry date clearly on your CV.

What employers often check

  • Attendance: late arrivals end contracts quickly.
  • Judgement: can you escalate early and stay procedural?
  • Customer-facing style: corporate reception and retail require professionalism.
  • Shift tolerance: nights/weekends and long shifts are common.
  • Documentation: clear, factual reporting (no exaggeration).

“CV that converts” checklist (security-specific)

  • Site types: retail / corporate / gatehouse / logistics / patrol.
  • Systems: CCTV monitoring, access control, visitor systems (if applicable).
  • Incidents: examples: trespass, alarm response, conflict de-escalation.
  • Licences: SIA type (if held) + expiry date.
  • Shift patterns: days/nights/weekends you can accept.
  • Languages: English level for radios and reports.

Pay (gross / brutto) and UK work conditions

All pay figures are gross and indicative. Final rates depend on site, shift pattern, licence type, and client contract conditions.

Role / shift Typical gross hourly pay What moves pay up
Entry Security Officer (many sites) £12.71–£13.50 / hour Site type, local market, client requirements, licence status.
Experienced officer (licensed + strong reporting) £13.50–£15.50 / hour High-trust sites, stronger responsibility, supervision tasks.
Nights / specialist sites (case-by-case) £15.50–£16.50+ / hour Night premiums, complex access control, higher risk environments.

Breaks (baseline)

  • If you work more than 6 hours in a day, you are generally entitled to an uninterrupted 20-minute rest break.
  • Whether the break is paid depends on the employment contract.

Weekly hours (baseline)

  • Average weekly working time is commonly limited to 48 hours (usually averaged over time) unless you voluntarily opt out (18+).
  • Opt-out must be voluntary and in writing; you should not be treated unfairly for refusing.

Holiday baseline

  • Statutory paid leave is commonly described as 5.6 weeks per year (pro-rated for part-time patterns).
  • For a standard 5-day pattern, this is typically 28 days.
Pay clarity tip: ask for a payslip breakdown showing hours worked, hourly rate, and any deductions. Good sites are transparent.

How to apply (CV-first process)

1) Build or upload your CV

Include site types you can handle, shift flexibility, and any SIA licence details (type + expiry) if you already have them.

Build / Upload CV (Required)

2) Matching & compliance check

We screen for fit: site requirements, English level, shift readiness, and licensing expectations (where applicable).

Note: sponsorship is employer-dependent and never guaranteed.

3) Employer confirmation

If shortlisted, you may have a short interview focused on judgement, reporting, and customer-facing behaviour. Final rate and start date are confirmed per site.

Fast-track advice: if you can do nights/weekends and you have strong incident reporting skills, state it clearly—this increases matching speed.

Related roles in Facilities & Safety

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FAQ (Security Officer jobs UK)

Do I need an SIA licence?
Many UK security roles require an SIA front line licence. The exact licence depends on duties (for example, Security Guarding for manned guarding, Door Supervisor for certain venues, CCTV for monitoring). The employer confirms requirements per site.
What gross pay can I expect?
Typical gross pay often falls around £12.71–£16.50+ per hour depending on site and shift pattern. Nights and high-responsibility sites may pay more. Final rates are confirmed per contract.
What shifts are common?
Many sites run rotating day/night shifts, weekends, and longer shifts (including 4-on-4-off patterns). The exact pattern is site-specific.
What gets candidates rejected most often?
Common reasons: no CV, unclear availability, weak English for reporting, poor punctuality history, or lacking the required licence for that site’s duties.
What should I include in my CV?
Include site types you worked on, any SIA licence type and expiry date, CCTV/access control experience, incident reporting ability, and your shift availability (nights/weekends).
Is the break paid?
Whether breaks are paid depends on your employment contract and site policy. Always confirm this before starting.
Can non-UK candidates apply?
Non-UK candidates can apply, but you must have the right to work in the UK or be eligible for a route where sponsorship may be possible. This depends on the employer and role.
Ready to apply? Build or upload your English CV, then MaViAl can match you to current UK security demand and site requirements.