Royal Mail Launches Safety Campaign Urging Dog Owners to Display Warning Signs
Royal Mail is calling on dog owners across the UK to place a simple four-word warning sign on their doors or windows to help protect postal workers and prevent deliveries from being suspended. The message – 'I have a dog' – is part of a new campaign encouraging households to alert posties if a pet is present, ensuring safer interactions during mail delivery.
Rising Dog Attacks Prompt Urgent Safety Measures
This initiative comes as new figures reveal a concerning increase in dog attacks on postal workers, with 2,197 incidents recorded in the past year, marking a 2% rise. This equates to approximately 42 attacks every week nationwide, some of which have resulted in serious or life-changing injuries for delivery staff. Royal Mail emphasizes that while receiving mail and parcels is important, the safety of its employees must take priority.
In a message sent to customers, Royal Mail explained: “Around 2,000 posties like me are injured by dogs each year, both big and small. When this happens, we must inform the police and suspend deliveries to your address, as we can’t take the chance that the dog may attack again.”
Key Safety Guidelines for Dog Owners
To support this campaign, Royal Mail has outlined essential safety tips for households with dogs:
- Secure Your Dog Before Opening the Door: Place your dog in another room or behind a gate first. Postal workers will wait patiently.
- Close Gates and Doors: Ensure all entry points are shut to prevent dogs from escaping.
- Check Garden Security: If you have a back or side garden, make sure your dog cannot get out and that gates are closed.
- Install a Letter Box Cage: This prevents dogs from attacking or snatching mail, which can cause serious hand injuries, including finger amputations, to postal workers and harm to the dog.
- Provide an Alternative Delivery Point: If securing your dog is challenging, arrange a different location for mail delivery.
UK Postcode Areas with Highest Dog Attack Rates
Royal Mail has also identified the UK postcode areas with the most incidents of dog attacks on postal workers. The S (Sheffield) postcode area ranked as the most dangerous location, recording 66 dog attacks in 2024/25, a staggering 61% increase compared to the previous year.
Other high-risk areas include:
- PO (Portsmouth): 60 attacks, slightly down from 62 the previous year, but appearing on the high-risk list for eight consecutive years.
- TN (Kent, Sussex, Surrey): 56 attacks, a 33% rise, and on the list for 11 consecutive years, previously ranked as the most dangerous in 2023/24.
- Additional areas with significant attack numbers:
- GU (Guildford) – 54 attacks
- NG (Nottingham) – 49 attacks
- CM (Chelmsford) and BN (Brighton) – 47 attacks each
- BT (Belfast) and NE (Newcastle) – 45 attacks each
- SN (Swindon) – 44 attacks
- DN (Doncaster) – 42 attacks
- ST (Staffordshire) – 40 attacks
Official Statements and Future Outlook
Lizz Lloyd, health and safety director at Royal Mail, stated: “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.”
She added that while Royal Mail invests in safety training and awareness campaigns, cooperation from households is crucial to reducing incidents. With Easter approaching and delivery volumes expected to surge, Royal Mail is encouraging dog owners to take these simple precautions now to protect postal workers and ensure uninterrupted, safe deliveries.
