Dear Resident,

Following a surge in internal reports to the Royal Mail of dog attacks on colleagues in the SN postcode area, the public are reminded to take extra steps to ensure their dogs are secure to keep postal and delivery workers safe. Statistics from Royal Mail report the SN postcode is in their top ten postcodes with the most postal workers being attacked by dogs. 40 dog attack incidents were reported by postal workers in this area from July 2023 – July 2024. 

This is the first time the SN postcode has been within the top ten locations for the highest number of dog attacks, with the number increasing by 60% year-on-year from 2022/23 to 2023/24. The SN area includes Swindon, Chippenham, Calne, Corsham, Devizes, Malmesbury, Melksham, and Pewsey.

PC Paul Croft, from Wiltshire Police’s dog handling unit, said: “Wiltshire Police advise dog owners to apply caution and ensure their dogs are under control at all times to prevent the risk of an incident of this nature. Dog attacks can have significant, long-term health and emotional impacts on victims.  

“Wiltshire Police take reports of dog attacks seriously, and offer the following advice to dog owners. Think before you open the door to a delivery, and take an extra moment to secure your dog in another room of the house, in a crate, or behind a stair gate, before opening the front door. Take note of the time your delivery is scheduled for and ensure your dog is not left alone in the garden if that is an access point for delivery workers to your front door.”

A spokesperson from Royal Mail Group said: “Dog attacks have a devastating effect on our people, and we are appealing to dog owners to think twice when the postperson 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. Please keep your dog in another room before answering the door and make sure children don’t open the door, as dogs can push by them and attack.”

More information about dog attacks reported by Royal Mail employees, and advice from Royal Mail Group can be found on their website. Further information about animal crime can be found on the Wiltshire Police website.

If you see a dog loose, please report this online. If the dog seems to be out of control, let us know by calling 101.