Almost 2,200 postal workers were attacked in the last financial year [FILE PIC] (Image: Mirrorpix)
Postal workers in Sheffield, Portsmouth and parts of Kent are most at risk of dog attacks, new Royal Mail figures reveal—after more than 2,000 incidents were recorded across the UK in the last year alone. In total, 2,197 attacks on postmen and postwomen were reported in 2024/25, a 2% increase when adjusted for the extra week in the previous financial year.
The worst-affected area was the S postcode, covering Sheffield, with 66 incidents. This was followed by 60 in the PO postcode area, which includes Portsmouth, and 56 in the TN postcode, spanning parts of Kent, Sussex and Surrey. The figures were released to mark the start of Royal Mail’s annual Dog Awareness Week, which aims to highlight the dangers faced by delivery staff and to encourage responsible pet ownership.
READ MORE: This Mum’s lip was ‘hanging off’ after she was mauled by a ‘pitbull-type dog’
Nearly half of all attacks occurred at the front door. One in four happened in gardens, driveways or yards, while nearly one in 10 took place out on the street.
Injuries ranged from minor to life-altering – there were 74 significant injuries recorded last year, down from 82 the year before, but the impact on staff remains serious. Dog attacks have resulted in more than 2,700 days of absence in 2024/25, with one postal worker missing 108 days of work.
Among those injured was Ellenore King-Voisin, from Farnborough, Hampshire, attacked by a dog while delivering mail.
She told the BBC: “The dog jumped up at me and bit me three times just above the right knee. When I looked down, I could see the flesh on my leg hanging.”
She added: “I started screaming and the owner and his daughter came rushing out. I also startled the dog as it ran back into the house. I had to do my own first aid as the man and his daughter were crying.”
Nearly all of the attacks occurred at front doors (Image: Getty)
Ms King-Voisin was taken to A&E, where she was treated for her wounds and given a tetanus injection. She was off work for three weeks. Since the attack, she says she has developed a deep fear of dogs.
She told the BBC: “If I hear or see a dog now—any dog—I’ll freeze. I’ll literally stop and wait until the owner walks past me because there’s no way I’m taking a chance.
“I feel as though I have to be ready to fight off an attack rather than it happen and I’m not aware.”
Lizz Lloyd, health and 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.”
She added: “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.”
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has also raised concerns that dogs bought during the Covid pandemic are more prone to behavioural issues.
Dr Rowena Packer, from the RVC, said: “There’s going to be more dogs that are uncomfortable with having strangers, potentially strangers in an unusual outfit.”
She added: “We’ve got this current population of dog owners that don’t have previous experience, that might be receiving unreliable and potentially dangerous advice on how to train their dog online.”
Dr Packer said that older dogs could still be trained to respond appropriately.
She said: “One of the things I think people really miss out of their dog training is training dogs to settle, to relax, to go somewhere.”
While Sheffield, Portsmouth and Kent top the list, other areas seeing a rise in dog attacks include Guildford, Nottingham, Chelmsford, Brighton, Belfast, Newcastle, Swindon, Doncaster and Staffordshire.
Royal Mail said it is continuing to invest in safety training for staff and public awareness campaigns, but stressed that pet owners must take responsibility for preventing further attacks.
Top areas for dog attacks on postal workers:
1) Sheffield – 66 incidents
2) Portsmouth – 60 incidents
3) Kent, Sussex & Surrey – 56 incidents
4) Guildford – 54 incidents
5) Nottingham – 49 incidents
6) Chelmsford – 47 incidents
7) Brighton – 45 incidents
8) Northern Ireland – 45 incidents
9) Newcastle – 44 incidents
10) Swindon – 44 incidents