Royal Mail urges UK households to display simple 4-word sign on door | UK | News

Royal Mail has encouraged some customers to consider displaying a four-word sign, warning that failure to take appropriate measures could force the company to “suspend deliveries to your address”. With Easter approaching, there will be a potential increase in deliveries for many people so it would be prudent to act without delay.

Figures published on the Royal Mail website on 30 June 2025 reveal that dog attacks on postal workers increased by 2% last year, reaching a total of 2,197 incidents. This equates to around 42 attacks every week across the country, with some delivery staff suffering permanent or life-changing injuries.

To solve this problem, Royal Mail advocates simple measures that can protect its employees while maintaining uninterrupted delivery services. A simple solution is a four-word postcard that says “I have a dog.”

This printable notice alerts the delivery person to wait while you restrain your pet, giving you enough time to secure him/her in another room. Postal staff will wait patiently for you to open the door, Daily Record reports.

In a letter to customers, Royal Mail said it was important “to receive your letters and parcels” but its priority “is to get these items to you safely and I hope you can help me with this.” A thought-provoking statistic was underlined in the letter: “Every year, approximately 2,000 postmen like me are injured by large and small dogs. In such a case, we must notify the police and suspend the delivery to your address, as we cannot risk the dog attacking again.”

In asking for public support, Royal Mail highlighted the following important information:

1. The S (Sheffield) postcode area has experienced an almost 61% increase in dog attacks on Royal Mail postal workers this year; This was in stark contrast to last year’s 18% decrease. A total of 66 attacks were reported in 2024/25, down from 41 attacks in 2023/24. The S postcode area in particular has consistently featured on all high-risk lists for dog attacks since postcode-specific data began being recorded. This is the fourth time it has topped the list as the most dangerous place for dog attacks.

2. Dog attacks in the PO (Portsmouth) postcode area are down marginally on last year; 60 attacks compared to 62 attacks in 2023/24 represents a decrease of 3%. The postcode area was at the top of the list of dangerous places for dog attacks last year. The PO postcode area has been among the highest risk areas for dog attacks for eight consecutive years and nine years in total since Royal Mail began publishing attack figures. 3. The TN (Kent/Sussex/Surrey) postcode area recorded a 33% increase in dog attacks on Royal Mail postal workers this year, following a 35% fall in 2023/24. It was reported that the number of attacks, which was 42 last year, increased to a total of 56 recently. The TN postcode area has been on the list of the most dangerous areas for dog attacks for 11 consecutive years and is ranked as the most dangerous place for postal workers in 2023/24.

4. This is the second time the GU (Guildford) postcode area has been on the high risk list since 19/20. The 54 attacks reported this year represent a 29% increase on last year’s 42 incidents. This is the sixth time the postcode area has featured on the list of the most dangerous places for dog attacks since Royal Mail began reporting postcode-specific figures.

5. There were 49 dog attacks on postal workers in the NG (Nottingham) postcode this year. This is a 17% increase compared to the 42 attacks in 2023/24. This is the fifth year in a row that the NG postcode area has appeared on the list of the most dangerous places for dog attacks; Last year the area was the 6th most unsafe place in the UK for dog attacks on Royal Mail postal workers. The postcode area has been in high-risk locations nine times since Royal Mail began reporting postcode-specific figures.

6. CM (Chelmsford) and BN (Brighton) postcode areas are the sixth highest risk area, with 47 dog attacks on Royal Mail postal workers reported in each area. 47 dog attacks on Royal Mail postal workers were recorded in the BN (Brighton) postcode area this year; this is a slight decrease of 2% on the 48 incidents reported in 2023/24. This is the ninth consecutive year that the BN area has been on the high risk list since Royal Mail began publishing location-specific data. It ranked fourth for risk last year and is the most dangerous place for dog attacks in 2021.

The CM (Chelmsford) postcode area has been on the Royal Mail high risk list for dog attacks on postal workers three times since location-specific data was first published. It was first reported in 2018/19, with 38 attacks listed, and again in 2019/20, with 44 incidents.

7. The BT (Belfast) and NE (Newcastle) postcode areas are the seventh highest risk area, with 45 dog attacks on Royal Mail postal workers reported in each area.

The BT (Belfast) postcode area has witnessed a 27% drop in dog attacks this year, compared to 62 incidents reported in 2023/24. Last year the postcode area was the 2nd most dangerous area for attacks. The BT postcode area has been on every dog ​​attack hotspot list since Royal Mail started publishing location-specific data in 2013. It held the title of most dangerous location for attacks on five separate occasions.

8. This is the second time the SN (Swindon) postcode area has been ranked in the highest risk locations. This year, 44 attacks were reported, up 10% on 40 incidents in 2022/23. The 9th DN (Doncaster) postcode area has appeared on Royal Mail’s dog attack hotspot list for the first time since location-specific data began being published in 2013. In the most recent reporting year, 42 attacks on postal workers were recorded; this is a 31% increase compared to the 32 incidents reported in 2023/24.

10. The postcode area ST (Staffordshire) has been named to Royal Mail’s most dangerous areas list for the first time. This year, 40 dog attacks on postal workers have been reported; This represents a 33% increase compared to the 30 events recorded in 2023/24.

Royal Mail and dog attacks

Royal Mail Health and Safety Director Lizz Lloyd said: “Dog attacks remain one of the most significant safety risks facing postal workers. In many cases, these incidents cause serious injuries, emotional distress and time away from work. Royal Mail continues to urge the public to be careful and responsible by securing their pets before opening the door to collect mail or parcels.

“We continue to invest in safety training and awareness campaigns for both employees and the public, but we emphasize that community collaboration is essential to reducing these incidents.”