Where to put CCTV cameras in a shop
The most important camera in a shop faces the entrance from inside, capturing a clear face of everyone who walks in. After that, cover the till, the shop floor and the back door or stock room. Those four positions catch most of what matters in a small shop.
1. The entrance: faces first
If you only have one camera, this is it.
- Mount it inside, facing the door, so people walk towards it.
- Around 2.2 to 2.5 metres high, angled gently down. Too high and you film caps and hoods.
- Avoid pointing it straight at a bright glass door. Daylight behind people turns them into silhouettes. Angle it slightly across the doorway, or choose a camera with good WDR (wide dynamic range), which handles bright backgrounds.
- Make it visible. A camera people notice as they walk in is a deterrent in itself.
2. The till and counter
The till camera protects you and your staff.
- Mount it above and slightly behind the counter, looking towards the customer.
- It should show the customer’s face, the transaction and the cash drawer.
- Do not film card PIN entry. Position it so the card machine keypad is out of view, or mask that area in the app.
3. The shop floor
- Cover the high-value shelves and any aisles that are out of sight from the counter.
- Corner mounting gives the widest view of a small floor.
- Mirrors and blind spots: walk the shop and note anywhere you cannot see from the till. That is where a camera earns its keep.
4. The back door and stock room
A lot of loss happens away from the shop floor.
- Cover the back door from inside, facing anyone who comes in.
- Cover the stock room if stock is kept there, particularly high-value items.
- Add an outside camera on the back door if it opens onto a yard or alley.
5. Outside the front (optional)
Worth adding if you have had broken windows, loitering or vehicle trouble. Keep it pointed at your frontage, not up and down the street, and mask anything you do not need. Filming public areas brings extra responsibilities.
Heights and angles at a glance
| Position | Height | What it should see |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance (inside) | About 2.2 to 2.5 m | Faces walking in |
| Till | Above and behind the counter | Customer face, transaction, cash drawer |
| Shop floor | Corner, about 2.5 m | High-value shelves and blind spots |
| Back door / stock room | About 2.2 to 2.5 m | Anyone entering, stock |
| Outside front | About 2.5 to 3 m | Your frontage only |
Mistakes that waste footage
- Cameras too high, giving you the tops of heads.
- Backlit entrances, where everyone is a silhouette.
- Filming PIN pads, which creates a security risk of its own.
- The recorder on show under the counter. Hide it, or it will leave with the burglar.
- No camera on the back door, where a lot of loss actually happens.
- Never checking the view. Stock displays move. Check every camera every few weeks.
Staff areas and privacy
Cameras in staff rooms, offices or anywhere staff have a reasonable expectation of privacy need a clear justification, and staff must be told. Never put cameras in toilets or changing areas. See shop CCTV and the law for what you must do.
For choosing the kit itself, read our CCTV for small shops buyer’s guide.
Want it planned and fitted properly? We install shop CCTV across Worcestershire and the West Midlands. Get a quote.