AROUND 23 postmen and women were attacked by dogs in the RG postcode last year, according to new figures from Royal Mail.

The figures, covering April 2017 to April 2018, are down 23 per cent on the previous year, however.

The stats were released this week as Royal Mail launched its sixth successive Dog Awareness week, in which it is appealing to dog owners to ensure they understand the impact of dog attacks on postmen and women.

Across the UK in 2017/18, there were 2,275 dog attacks on postmen and women across the UK in 2017/18, some leading to a permanent and disabling injury.

Dr Shaun Davis, Royal Mail Group global director of safety, health, wellbeing & sustainability said: “One attack is still one attack too many. Our research continues to show that attacks happen most often in the summer, so we are continuing our campaign to appeal to customers to help us cut attacks across the UK.

“I am pleased that the overall dog attacks numbers continue to fall, but I am still very concerned that in some postcodes attacks are on the increase. I am appealing to dog owners to think twice when the postman calls.

“Dog attacks have a devastating effect on our people and on our customers and we hope we can make a further impact in these areas. We will also be rolling out new interactive training for our people in the hotspot areas to try and help us to do that. But people should remember that 82 per cent of attacks happen at the front door or in the garden so this is not just a Royal Mail issue, many other delivery, and utility companies and local authorities face the same problem.”

Royal Mail advises dog owners to keeping dogs away from letterboxes, not opening the front door with a dog not under close control, and not allowing dogs to roam around gardens.