Royal Mail warning as your post could be ‘banned’ before Christmas

Some postal workers end up with lasting and serious injuries while doing their job

What you need to know as homes across the country could end up on a temporary postal service ban list, with letters and parcels stopped, if an incident occurs.

• Busy time of year for post: As Christmas approaches, Royal Mail workers are bracing for their busiest period of the year to make sure cards, gifts and other festive parcels reach their destinations by December 25. The company expects a record-breaking surge in parcel deliveries with millions of cards being sent.
• Pets may cause a problem: Even the most endearing pets can pose a threat to postal staff, warns Royal Mail. Dogs, being territorial creatures, can become unpredictable if they perceive a need to protect their family. Around 13.5 million dogs live with families in the UK, and about 36% of all families have at least one dog.
• Injuries happen every year: Royal Mail reports that around 2,000 postal workers get hurt by dog attacks every year. These injuries can be anything from small to really serious, and some even lead to lasting disabilities.
• Some houses will be banned: In these situations, Royal Mail usually tells the police about the incident and stops all deliveries to the address until safety measures are set up. This rule applies to both real injuries and any perceived threats.

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• Most dangerous postcode for dog attacks: The Royal Mail has ranked Sheffield as the worst area in terms of reported dog attacks with 66 incidents. It is the fourth time that the postcode area has been the most dangerous location for dog attacks.
• Where were postal workers hurt? The latest data reveals that nearly half of dog attacks on postal workers, equating to 1,005 incidents (46%), occurred at the front door. An additional 606 attacks (28%) took place in gardens or driveways, while 183 incidents (8%) were reported in streets or roads.
• What are the legal consequences for pet owners? Pet owners across England and Wales face potential punishment under the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991). The legislation was amended to encompass attacks occurring on private premises, including homeowners’ gardens or doorways, thereby safeguarding postal workers during their duties. Since changes were made to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in May 2014, authorities may confiscate a dog, whilst the owner and/or person responsible for the animal could face prosecution should the dog attack anyone, regardless of location.
• What is Royal Mail’s stance? Through its canine awareness programme, the postal service states online: “Never open the door to a postie when your dog is not secured away. Invest in a letter cage or external delivery point to stop bites through the letterbox. Close doors and gates to prevent loose dogs reaching the delivery point. Your mail can be suspended if a safe delivery point is not provided.”

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• How can pet owners avoid incidents? One of the simplest measures homeowners can take when expecting deliveries is to put their dog in another room or behind a protective barrier when the doorbell goes off. Fitting a wire letter guard for when you’re not at home could also prove effective. This measure can stop your dog from attacking postal workers’ fingers or shredding incoming letters.
• What resources are available to help? The Royal Mail website offers a downloadable postcard that people can print and display on their door or window. The site states: “This lets anyone delivering to your property know that you have a dog and asks them to wait whilst you secure your dog before opening the door.”
• Serious injury and distress: Lizz Lloyd, Health and Safety Director at Royal Mail, highlighted the severity of the issue, stating: “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. 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. We continue to invest in safety training and awareness campaigns for both employees and the public, but emphasise that community cooperation is essential to reducing these incidents.”