30-06-2025
This year saw a reduction in attacks causing serious and significant injury to postal workers - but they are still unacceptably high. There were 74 significant injuries recorded in 2024/25 compared to the 82 reported in 2023/24 – a 10% reduction.
The figures have been released at the start of the 13th annual Dog Awareness Week, which will run from 30 June to 6 July and encourages responsible dog ownership. Royal Mail is appealing to dog owners to ensure they understand the often-devastating impact of dog attacks on postmen and postwomen and take proper measures to ensure their pets pose no threat to delivery postal workers through responsible dog ownership.
Highest-risk location was the S (Sheffield) postcode where 66 postal workers suffered dog attacks, followed by the PO (Portsmouth) postcode area with 60 attacks and the TN (Kent/Sussex/Surrey) postcode area third with 56 attacks. (See below for more details on the top 10 dog attack hot-spots.)
As in previous years, nearly half of dog attacks, 1,005 (46%), took place at the front door. A further 606 (28%) dog attacks took place in the garden, drive or yard. There were 183 (8%) attacks in the street or road.
There were 403 injuries suffered through the letterbox - accounting for 18% of attacks on postal workers. Letterbox attacks were the subject of a 2020 High Court ruling that stated dog owners (or those in care of a dog) can be prosecuted if their pets have free access to the letterbox and cause injury to any delivery operative, whether the owner is at home or not.
Dog attacks on Royal Mail colleagues resulted in 2,700 days of absence in 2024/25 with the longest period of absence being 108 days.
There are approximately 13.5 million pet dogs in the UK, according to UK Pet Food’s Pet Data Report 2024.
Lizz Lloyd, Health & Safety Director at Royal Mail, said: “Dog attacks remain one of the most significant safety risks faced by postal workers. In many cases, these incidents result in serious injuries, emotional distress, and time away from work. Royal Mail continues to call on the public to be vigilant and responsible by securing their pets before opening the door to receive mail or packages.
“We continue to invest in safety training and awareness campaigns for both employees and the public but emphasise that community cooperation is essential to reducing these incidents.”
* Figures based on a comparable 52 week reporting period on the previous year.