RM/CWU National Dog Awareness Week, 3 – 9 July 2023 – RMG Dog Attack Statistics by Postcode and by Delivery Office:
The top 10 postcode areas for dog attacks 2022/23 Summary:
The TN (Tunbridge Wells) postcode area had the most incidents of reported dog attacks during the year, with 65 postmen/postwomen suffering dog attacks. The TN postcode area has featured in the Top Ten List for dog attacks for nine consecutive years and has again made the Top Ten list this year. 518 recorded dog attacks since 2013/14.
The BT (Belfast- Northern Ireland) postcode area placed second this year with 56 attacks. The BT postcode area is an area that has also appeared in every Top Ten List since Royal Mail began releasing Dog Awareness Week figures on yearly attacks in 2013/14. It has topped the list for attacks four times. 623 recorded dog attacks since 2013/14.
The S (Sheffield) postcode area placed third for incidents of reported dog attacks during the year, with 50 postmen/postwomen suffering dog attacks. This is just one incident less than last year – (51 for 2021/22). The S postcode area has also appeared in every one of the Top Ten Lists for dog attacks on postal workers since the inaugural Dog Awareness Week in 2013. There have been 607 recorded dog attacks since 2013/14.
The PO (Portsmouth) postcode area placed fourth this year with 49 dog attacks. This is the sixth consecutive year the PO postcode has featured in the Top Ten List. 455 recorded dog attacks since 2013/14.
The BS (Bristol), postcode area placed fifth, this year with 42 postmen/postwomen suffering dog attacks, having dropped out of the list in 2022. This is the third time the BS postcode has featured in the Top Ten List.
The SA (Swansea), postcode area placed sixth this year with 41 postmen/postwomen suffering dog attacks and appears in the list for the second time (2022 being the first).
The EX (Exeter), postcode area placed seventh this year with 38 postmen/postwomen suffering dog attacks and appears in the list for the third time (the previous two being 2019 and 2022).
The NG (Nottingham) postcode area placed eighth this year with 37 postmen/postwomen suffering dog attacks (the same level as the previous year). This is the third consecutive year that the NG postcode area has appeared in the Top Ten List and the eighth time since 2013.
In joint ninth place are the BN (Brighton) and OX (Oxford) postcode areas both with 34 postmen/postwomen suffering dog attacks.
For the BN postcode, dog attacks on postmen and postwomen were slightly down on the 37 reported in 2022. This is the seventh consecutive year that the BN postcode has appeared on Top Ten List.
For the Oxford postcode, dog attacks on postmen and postwomen were slightly down on the 35 reported in 2022. Oxford features in the Top Ten List for the second consecutive year.
Highest Number of attacks by postcode area:POSTCODE
AREA2022/2023
No. of attacks TN65 BT56 S50 PO49 BS42 SA41 EX38 NG37 BN34 OX34
See attached a full Excel spreadsheet list of all delivery offices and all postcode areas with recorded dog attacks by unit and by postcode area.
IMPORTANT: The CWU HQ Health Safety & Environment Department estimates that around a thousand dog attacks go unreported each year, mostly minor attacks. Dog attacks are a criminal offence in public places and on private property. The CWU fought for and won the battle to make this the law in the UK through our ‘Bite-Back’ Campaign. Please give full support to Dog Awareness Week. Please ensure that all dog attacks are reported to the manager, and to the Police (obtaining a crime number) and to the Royal Mail Security Helpdesk – This is the only way to help stop future dog attacks happening.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 
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