Security Officers

A Security Officer provides security for property at hospitals, hotels, warehouses or office buildings. Monitors entrances and patrols buildings, watches for intruders or vandals; reports building maintenance problems; deals with customers or visitors that create a disturbance in the building.

About this Career

Average Salary

£24,756

New workers start at around £3,218. Normal pay is £24,756 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to £47,134

Annual Openings

160

Job counts include both employed and self-employed persons in London, and do not distinguish between full and part-time jobs

Daily Tasks

  • Greets and organises people attending court cases, ensures necessary parties are present, calls defendants and witnesses, directs oath taking and keeps order in the courtroom.
  • Patrols airport, checks passengers baggage, operates metal detectors and x-rays and assists in responding to emergency situations.
  • Watches for illegal fishing or attempted smuggling.
  • Ejects persons in illegal occupation of premises.
  • Calls in civil police and gives evidence in court where necessary.
  • Receives duty sheet, time-clock and keys for premises to be visited, checks locks, doors, windows, etc. and reports any suspicious circumstances to security headquarters.
  • Provides entry security, checks tickets, manages queues, takes entry fees, and escorts people from the premises where necessary in a variety of public venues such as nightclubs, pubs and bars.
  • Checks persons and vehicles entering and leaving premises, establishes their credentials and arranges for escorts for visitors.
  • Monitors, patrols and deals with security difficulties in hotels, factories, offices and other premises, and public or private estates to prevent theft and unauthorised entry.
  • Walks or rides near person requiring protection, watches for suspicious occurrences and defends guarded person from attack.

Skills Employers are looking for

Skills Importance
Monitoring 49%
Reading Comprehension 48%
Critical Thinking 48%
Active Listening 46%
Writing 42%
Speaking 41%
Active Learning 35%
Learning Strategies 33%
Mathematics 3%
Science 0%