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Criminality in the UK has often been an issue, and one that plagues both the Police and private security services. That’s not set to change any time soon, either, with the Office for National Statistics finding that an estimated 4.2 million retail workers experienced some form of harassment in 2025.
Many security companies and their officers are turning to augmentative measures, with the main innovation being body-worn video. But what does the law say on body cameras for security, and how is it set to influence modern protective services?
We’ll answer questions such as “do security guards wear body cams?” and “why are security body cams useful?”, and explore licensing regulations outlined by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
Yes, body cameras are a valuable asset to both a security guard and the security company they work for, supplementing an officer’s arsenal, elevating safety and providing a visual account for reporting purposes.
The use of body cameras for security officers is encouraged in appropriate situations, such as:
In addition to these situations, body cams may also be utilised in any instance in which lone working occurs (a remote premises or energy project, for example), although it’s important that the security officers utilising them are correctly licenced.
In accordance with the licensing requirements outlined by Government legislation and by extension the Security Industry Authority (SIA), an operative wearing a head or body camera only requires a standard frontline licence certifying them as a security officer.
However, any operative involved in watching live feeds or reviewing recorded footage from these cameras would require the Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) License as well as their frontline licence.
Security body cams aren’t always the right choice, though. Officers who work with vulnerable or at-risk people (domestic abuse charities, for example) or for businesses that handle sensitive data, material, information or equipment, may not be able to wear a bodycam as it could breach GDPR guidelines or pose a significant safety risk.
Body-worn security cameras empower the security officers who wear them and vary in design and function, with common applications including:
Possessing a multitude of practical uses such as enhancing the safety of our operatives, deterring instances of aggression and providing tangible footage for prosecution or training purposes, the use of body-worn security cameras is becoming rapidly more commonplace.
Driven by a desire to enhance safety and accountability, body cameras have seen a significant shift in commercial availability, rendering them a substantially more viable option as a CCTV alternative within security provisions.
With the introduction of Martyn’s Law (The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025), named after Martyn Hett, a victim of the Manchester Arena bombing, public venues are required to significantly improve their security through the implementation of dynamic risk assessments, outlined security plans and extensive staff training to combat terror attacks.
In our expert opinion, with the growing popularity and grandeur of music concerts and festivals paired with their utilisation of vast, modern venues, the additional layer of security that body cameras would provide would greatly supplement existing provisions and contribute to increased levels of security.
Shop staff fear abuse in Christmas shopping season, says union – BBC News
When selecting the best body cameras for security guards, it’s important to factor in their intended function, indoor/outdoor placement, connectivity and field of view, preferring systems that prioritise reliability, durability, a large memory storage capacity, long battery life and high-resolution video.
In addition to this, it’s important to note that different models possess different features such as:
It’s these features and seamless compatibility with PPE, such as attaching to stab vests or being incorporated into eyewear, that further render body cameras a versatile security option suitable for a diverse range of situations and environments.
The choice of body cam must always be dictated by the specifications required and tailored to the desired placement environment. For example, a discrete bodycam utilised by a store detective may capture more candid behaviour, such as uncovering employee theft or criminality, whereas a clearly defined bodycam or static CCTV would be more pronounced and may be a less suitable option.
In parallel, the disadvantage to this could be that its use may lead to complaints over privacy laws when consent of public recording is breached and not made clear to customers/visitors. Further implications to this could include the breach of stricter data compliance laws, which may incur additional costs for the business.
Additionally, in situations where capturing audio in conjunction with video is required, such as a retail environment, you may require a different brand or model that accommodates this need. Audio recording acts as a catalyst for safer environments by adding that extra layer of protection against verbal abuse, such as sexism, homophobia or racism.
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) recorded a survey of 3,000 of its members, finding that 71% had been verbally abused, 48% had been threatened, and 9% had been assaulted, highlighting just how common abuse occurs in such environments and how vital recording audio can be.
Moreover, it’s similarly important to check with the insurance policies of the business or client that you’re delivering security to, ensuring that you opt for the right bodycam choice. Insurance for body cams generally refers to two avenues:
As the UK’s #1 ACS-approved security company, it goes without saying that ProFM embraces every opportunity to elevate our security provisions, embedding innovation at the core of our operations.
It’s our commitment to our continuous improvement, introducing technological innovations such as body-worn video equipment, inclusive of cutting-edge HALO and Pinnacle PR8 technologies for our security guards, that sets us apart from our competition and offers us a competitive edge.
Contact us today to discuss available security options in depth with a ProFM representative and receive a free, no-obligation quotation.
CCTV & Electronic Systems
CCTV & Electronic Systems
John has a proven track record for motivating and leading high performance teams and has helped mentor and develop many people at ProFM who now hold key or senior positions within the business. John is committed to delivering only the finest services, exercising compelling leadership, maintaining good internal morale and striving to resolve any challenges efficiently and effectively.