Driver of police car used to ram into escaped cow is removed from duty

The driver of a police car that was used to ram into an escaped cow has been removed from duty, Surrey Police have confirmed.

The young cow, that had escaped a farm and was run down by a Surrey Police car on Friday evening (June 14) is now recovering in a barn - but could still die from shock, its farmer's partner has now claimed.

After the incident, that was shared widely across social media, Surrey Police confirmed they had started an internal investigation and that the force had referred itself to the police complaints watchdog.

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In an update, the force confirmed that the officer who was driving the police car has since been removed from frontline duties pending the outcome of the investigation.

Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp said: “I fully appreciate the distress our handling of this incident has caused and will ensure that it is thoroughly and diligently investigated. In addition to an internal referral to our Professional Standards Department, we have also referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for independent consideration.

“At this time, the officer who was driving the police car has been removed from frontline duties pending the outcome of these investigations.

“I know there is much concern around the current welfare of the cow. She is now back with her owner and recuperating with her herd. She did sustain a large cut to one leg and cuts and grazes. She continues to be monitored by a vet and our rural officers are staying in contact with the owner for updates.

“I can confirm that on the night, efforts were made to contact local vets without success and efforts were simultaneously being made to identify the owner. Why these were unsuccessful and what more could and should have been done will form a key part of the investigation.

“As well as our overriding duty to protect the public, the welfare of animals is important to us and we know people want answers about how this happened and what led up to it. I am committed to ensuring that we have a full understanding of what took place and why, and we will fully support any investigation. I have also briefed the Home Office on what action we are taking and we are liaising with several animal charities that have been in touch with us about this incident.

“We will continue to provide both our local communities and the wider public with updates as investigations into this matter continue and will also publish these on our website at www.surrey.police.uk.”

The 10-month-old heifer, named Beau Lucy, was rammed down by a police car on Friday night in Staines, before the car drove into the calf again shortly afterward. Footage of the incident was later uploaded to social media, and sparked a furious backlash from viewers, including BBC Springwatch host Chris Packham, and Home Secretary James Cleverly.

The partner of the animal's farmer, Kate, previously told Sky News that the footage was 'horrific'. "Honestly, when I saw the video, I thought he should lose his job," she said. "I just thought it was disgusting. I couldn't believe it.

"I don't know if it was his decision to drive at the animal or whether he was instructed to, but the police, when they got out of the car looked pretty agitated themselves."

Surrey Police said the decision to run down the cow was taken as it was 'extremely concerned about the public's safety'.

But, Kate said Beau Lucy 'wasn't that out of control, just spooked'. She added: "I can only imagine the police that did it have no idea about farm animals.

"I don't know whether she will live. She could died of the shock but hopefully she'll live." Beau Lucy was grazing in a field in Staines Moor, but it's believed she escaped by swimming across a river.

The police said it received 'numerous calls' about the cow running at people, and that previous attempts to capture it had proven unsuccessful.