Police launch criminal investigation after officer was filmed running over a cow | UK News

Police have launched a criminal investigation after an officer was filmed deliberately driving a patrol car into an escaped cow.

The 10-month-old calf was loose in Staines-upon-Thames, Surreywhen the police used a vehicle to stop the animal.

Footage of the incident went viral last month and quickly sparked outrage – with then-Home Secretary James Cleverly asking for a “complete and urgent explanation”.

The police officer driving the vehicle was suspended from frontline duties a few days later.

Surrey Police now say the incident is being investigated as a criminal and internal misconduct matter.

The investigation is being led by its Professional Standards Department and overseen by a senior investigating officer, a statement from the force said.

Surrey Police received 2,000 complaints from the public and “more than 20,000 messages” on social media about the incident, Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp added.

More from Sky News:
Man accused after woman killed by attackers
NHS issues warning about blood shortage

As part of their investigations, officers carried out around 290 house-to-house visits and contacted 75 witnesses.

More than 250 video clips were sent in by members of the public, the force added.

DCC Kemp said: “This significant update demonstrates why a thorough investigation is important, as it ensures that all potential criminal and misconduct issues are clearly understood. This, of course, takes time.”

The video showed the loose cow falling and skidding meters along a road after being hit by the vehicle.

As the calf – named Beau Lucy – appeared to try to get up, the car approached for a second time and appeared to pin the animal’s head and part of its torso under the front of the vehicle.