What "CCTV in operation" means
"CCTV in operation" is the plain statement that cameras are recording in the area you are about to enter. It is neutral in tone, universally understood in the UK, and suitable for homes, shops, offices, restaurants and shared buildings alike. If you only ever use one wording, this is the one to use.
What to put underneath the headline
The headline gets attention; the lines beneath it make the sign genuinely informative. A good CCTV in operation sign states why you are recording, for example "for the prevention and detection of crime and the safety of customers and staff", names the business or person operating the system, and gives a way to get in touch. That reflects the ICO's expectation that people are told who is recording them and can ask questions about it.
Keep the wording honest. If your cameras only run out of hours, do not claim 24 hour surveillance. If footage is not monitored live, do not imply that it is. A sign is a statement of fact, and a misleading one undermines the trust it is meant to build.
Free CCTV in operation sign template
Our Free UK CCTV Sign Maker starts from the classic "CCTV in operation" template. Choose where the sign will be displayed, add your organisation name and contact details if you want them on the sign, pick A4, A5 or A6 in portrait or landscape, and download a print-ready PDF or PNG. There is no account to create and nothing printed on the sign except your notice.
Where to place a CCTV in operation sign
- Front door or shop window, at eye level, facing the approach.
- Reception desks and counters, where people pause and read.
- Car park or yard entrances, large enough to read from a vehicle.
- Inside, at the entrance to any separately monitored area such as a stock room or staff-only corridor.
Variations you may see
"CCTV cameras are in operation" reads a little more naturally on a door. "Warning: CCTV in operation" adds emphasis for yards, car parks and industrial sites; see our guide to CCTV warning signs. "24 hour CCTV surveillance" is right only where recording really is continuous. All four are available as templates in the sign maker.
For homes
If a home camera captures anything beyond your own property, such as the pavement or a neighbour's drive, the ICO's domestic CCTV guidance asks you to let people know you are recording, and a small "CCTV in operation" sign by the door or gate is the simplest way to do it. Choose "Home" in the sign maker and the wording adapts automatically.
Create a free, print-ready CCTV sign in seconds. No account, no watermark.
A note from the people behind this guide. Fogaway Security Tools are free resources from the makers of the Fogaway security fog system. CCTV records what happens; Fogaway is built for what happens next, filling a room with dense fog in seconds so intruders cannot see what they came for. If that is interesting, see how it works. If not, the guides and the sign maker are yours to use regardless.
This guide provides general information about CCTV signage in the UK and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements depend on your circumstances; refer to the Information Commissioner's Office for authoritative guidance.