Consultants say ‘neighborhood co-operation is crucial’ to scale back the numbers
The variety of canine assaults on postal employees has elevated over the previous yr, new figures reveal. Royal Mail mentioned there have been 2,197 canine assaults on its workers, a 2% improve in contrast with the earlier yr.
The determine equates to a median of 42 assaults each week throughout the UK, with some resulting in everlasting and disabling accidents for victims. There have been 74 important accidents recorded in 2024/25 in contrast with the 82 reported in 2023/24, in response to the figures, launched at the beginning of the annual Canine Consciousness Week, geared toward encouraging accountable canine possession.
Royal Mail urged canine house owners to make sure they perceive the often-devastating influence of canine assaults on postmen and postwomen and take correct measures to make sure their pets pose no risk to supply postal employees. The best-risk location prior to now yr was the S (Sheffield) postcode the place 66 postal employees suffered canine assaults, adopted by the PO (Portsmouth) postcode space with 60 assaults and the TN (Kent/Sussex/Surrey) postcode space with 56 assaults.
As in earlier years, practically half of canine assaults came about on the entrance door, one in 4 came about in gardens, drives or yards and virtually one in 10 came about on the street or highway. Canine assaults on Royal Mail employees resulted in 2,700 days of absence in 2024/25, with the longest interval of absence being 108 days.
Lizz Lloyd, well being and security director at Royal Mail, mentioned: “Canine assaults stay probably the most important security dangers confronted by postal employees. In lots of instances these incidents end in critical accidents, emotional misery, and time away from work.
“Royal Mail continues to name on the general public to be vigilant and accountable by securing their pets earlier than opening the door to obtain mail or packages.
“We proceed to spend money on security coaching and consciousness campaigns for each workers and the general public however emphasise that neighborhood co-operation is crucial to decreasing these incidents.”
Different areas the place canine assaults have elevated embrace Guildford, Nottingham, Chelmsford, Brighton, Belfast, Newcastle, Swindon, Doncaster and Staffordshire.
