Brighton's postal workers at high risk of dog attacks

Brighton is a high risk location for dog attacks on postal workers, with some having suffered life-changing injuries.

Royal Mail said there have been 48 dog attacks on posties in the city in the past year, a 41 per cent increase on the previous year.

It makes Brighton the joint third highest risk area in the UK and marks the eighth year the BN postcode has featured in the high risk list.

Nationally, the postal service said there were 2,206 dog attacks on posties from March 2023 to 2024, with 82 of those causing serious injury.

On average, postal workers experience 42 attacks a week, with some leading to permanent and debilitating injuries.

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The data has been highlighted as part of Royal Mail’s 12th Dog Awareness Week, which started yesterday and runs until July 7 and calls for dog owners to take measures against these attacks.

Lizz Lloyd, health and safety director for Royal Mail, said: “We are saddened and disappointed to see attacks on our staff continue to increase.

“Dog attacks have a devastating effect on our people and we are appealing to dog owners to think twice when the postman calls.

“All dog attacks can have life-changing consequences for victims, even when the physical injury is not significant.

“Almost half of attacks happen at the front door and over a quarter in the front garden, so this is not just a Royal Mail issue, many other organisations face the same problem.”

Dave Joyce, national health and safety officer for the Communication Workers’ Union, said: “Dog bite incidents and severe dog attacks are continuing to experience a very concerning increase and upwards trend across the UK and that constitutes a growing risk and occupational safety and health problems for postal workers.

“The key objective of Dog Awareness Week is primarily to remind the public to be aware of their legal and moral responsibilities to control their dogs and prevent dog attacks on postal workers who are providing them with a great public service.

“The public need to be aware that if their dog attacks a postal worker, they can be prosecuted.”

The worst place for dog attacks was Portsmouth followed by Belfast. Brighton was joint third with Bristol.